The Bestiary of Fantastic Beasts, a guided tour not to be missed in Périgueux

Do you know bestiaries ? These manuscripts dating from the Middle Ages which tell fables and stories about real or imaginary animals ? Discover these little (or big) creatures through an unusual guided tour in the typical streets of Périgueux. Children, teenagers, parents or grandparents, open your eyes in search of hidden animals !

Photo report: Tourist Office Destination Périgueux ©Déclic & Décolle – CDT Dordogne

The Bestiary of Fantastic Beasts, a family and animal visit to Périgueux

Have fun all summer long, Périgueux is an inexhaustible land of games that has great surprises in store for you, and new anecdotes. Accompanied by a funny and passionate guide, wander the streets and essential buildings in search of hidden animals. Once located, a short story is told to you to understand the symbol and the image it represents, explanations which evolve according to the periods from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Fun and educational, the visit is appreciated by the little ones who find themselves in a giant game , while the older ones are entitled to special stories when the young ears are far away. Book the Bestiary of Fantastic Beasts at the Destination Périgueux Tourist Office or on the online site, you will love taking part in a life-size hunt for 1h30 which passes at full speed.

The Bestiary of Fantastic Beasts, the discovery of animal symbols and images

Sheep, lion, elephant, cow or horse, will you be able to find them and recognize them if you see them ? Not necessarily, some are well hidden but rest assured, the guide will be able to orient you and, above all, explain to you the way in which these now common animals were perceived in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The pigeon, for example, is considered a very intelligent bird, while the peregrine falcon associated with the phoenix is a symbol of courtesy and nobility . The sheep is a precious animal which provides milk, wool, fat for candles and skin for books and manuscripts, it is therefore most often represented in a positive way , unlike the goats which represent perversity . As you will have understood, each animal has its own definition which evolves over time. Discover their fascinating stories and juicy anecdotes through the Fantastic Beasts Bestiary guided tour and keep your eyes peeled to be the first to spot them. Don't be afraid, dragons are hidden in the town of Périgueux, another symbol to discover which may not be what you think.

Places to rediscover through the Animal Bestiary in Périgueux

This new visit imagined by the Destination Périgueux Tourist Office begins at Place du Coderc, a space in the city center opposite Les Halles. Its name is well chosen since in medieval terms, “Coderc” means “meadow, fields, pasture” , in relation to the ^first animal in the beautiful story of the Bestiary of Fantastic Beasts, the pig . Be patient, all explanations will be given to you during the guided tour. Place du Clautre is the next stop to observe new animals, an important place in the city which has hosted the market for 800 years, unifying the city and the two towns at the time. Continue to Périgueux Cathedral, an incredible religious building dating from the ^12th century which was partly rebuilt in the ^19th century. Place Daumesnil , turn around to admire the Cathedral and discover other animals that have escaped you, before continuing on Rue Limogeanne , a typical street lined with many shops. Are you back at Place du Coderc ? The visit is therefore over, Périgueux has revealed all its animal secrets.

The city is yours, explore this jewel of medieval heritage at your own pace during a guided tour adapted to your desires, and those of your children. The patient and passionate guide answers all your questions and offers you a competition at the end of the tour. What a pleasure to share good times between young and old !

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