Périgord: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
The Périgord is a region in the southwest of France. Hills and forests in the north, oak and pine forests as well as vineyards in the south invite you to adventurous hikes. Picturesquely, the Dordogne flows through the region. The cuisine of Périgord is renowned. The historic center of the capital Périgueux is considered one of the most beautiful in all of France.
Table of contents
Périgord - The most beautiful cities
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda is famous for its well-preserved medieval buildings. With 65 monuments and protected buildings, it holds the record for classified monuments. A walk through the medieval alleys past the slate-clad and stone-built houses lets you immerse yourself in history. An absolute must is a visit to the Cathedral of Saint-Sacerdos, built in the 12th century and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Admire the intricate carvings and majestic architecture. Afterwards, you should visit the Place de la Liberté, a lively marketplace where you can taste regional specialties.
Périgueux
The small town of Périgueux nestles in the lowlands of the southwestern French river Isle. Its historic old town is a living testament to the past. A landmark of the town and an architectural jewel is the Saint-Front Cathedral from the 12th century. The church, built in the Byzantine style, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those who want to learn more about the history should visit the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum. In a well-preserved Gallo-Roman residence, the exhibition with models, films, and archaeological objects shows the life of its inhabitants between the first and third centuries. The Museum of Art and Archaeology takes you into the world of art.
Bergerac
Around Bergerac, delicious wine grows, which you can enjoy in the first-class restaurants in the medieval old town. Many cozy eateries can be found especially on Pekissière Square. The House of Wines is dedicated to the noble drops. On the square, you can also admire the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac. Stroll through the center and discover many houses with pointed arch windows that contribute to the charm of the city. If you want to buy fresh ingredients, the market held several times a week in front of the Notre Dame Church is recommended. It's also lively at the harbor.
Brantôme
Known as the Venice of the Perigord, the small town of Brantôme is situated on an island surrounded by the picturesque Dronne. On a boat tour or outdoor activities like cycling and hiking along the river, you will discover impressive caves. Afterwards, you can enjoy regional specialties such as foie gras or truffles. The historic city center of Brantôme holds numerous architectural treasures. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the well-preserved half-timbered houses dating from the 16th century. A highlight is the famous Abbey of Saint-Pierre, an impressive monastery from the 11th century with a noteworthy cloister garden.
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Even in the Paleolithic era, people appreciated the region's temperate climate and used the rock overhangs for settlement. Ancient rock drawings bear impressive witness to this. A UNESCO World Heritage site from the Magdalenian period and the last accessible site with colored depictions can be visited in Font-de-Gaume, east of Les Eyzies. In the Abri de Cro-Magnon and the Gorge d’Enfer, you can learn how Stone Age people lived. In addition to prehistoric finds, you will also discover impressive medieval structures in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, such as the fortified church of Tayac, which served as a refuge for residents during times of conflict.
Domme
On the cliff south of Sarlat, you will discover pure medieval charm. The massive fortifications of Domme, with the round towers of the Porte des Tours, still bear witness to the warlike conflicts between France and England in the 13th century. Within the walls, numerous buildings remind us of times gone by. These include, in addition to the church, the house of the mint master and the old market hall. Under its arcades, the gate to the underworld opens. You wander through the approximately 400-meter-long gallery of the Domme cave. The stalactite cave served as a refuge for the former inhabitants in the Middle Ages.
Montignac
The beautiful medieval town of Montignac nestles by the Vézère River in the Perigord region of France. A visit to the Lascaux Cave with its remarkable prehistoric cave paintings is an experience for young and old alike. The drawings, created over 17,000 years ago, depict animals and hunters. The Vézère River offers a variety of activities. On a hike, you can discover the picturesque valley with more UNESCO World Heritage cave paintings. A canoe trip or bike tours lead you to surrounding villages. One of the most beautiful among them is the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère with its historic charm and ancient history.
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Beynac-et-Cazenac not only boasts the hilltop castle of Beynac, which rises about 150 meters above the river, but is itself a single great attraction. The picturesque, flower-adorned stone houses with their pretty slate roofs adorn the rocky terraces below the high cliff of the Dordogne. The surroundings invite you to go hiking, cycling, and also to enjoy wonderful boat trips on the Dordogne. For this, there are the typical flat-bottomed boats called Gabarren, which offer a beautiful panoramic view of the place. Additionally, swimming is also possible here in the summer.
Périgord - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Dordogne River
The Dordogne boasts an extraordinary richness of species. Therefore, its entire catchment area was classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2012. It is home to, among others, salmon, the Atlantic sturgeon, and otters. Between Buisson-de-Cadouin and Lalinde, you can discover geese, kingfishers, cormorants, and kites on the beautiful, water-shaped rocky shores. After the dam in Mauzac, the Dordogne widens and waters the world-famous vineyards. The nearby Atlantic forms tidal waves on which surfers frolic. In the largest estuary in Europe, the Gironde, the Dordogne mixes with the Garonne to form a species-rich brackish water reservoir. This is home to the European sturgeon and numerous migratory birds.
Padirac Chasm
The Gouffre de Padirac in the natural region of Causse du Gramat not only makes the hearts of geology fans beat faster. The circular hole in the ground leads 103 meters down to a river, which you can reach via a staircase or elevator. You then travel through a labyrinth of karst caves in a flat boat. The cave system, discovered in 1889, extends over 40 kilometers, of which about 1,000 meters are accessible to visitors. During the guided boat tour, you glide past massive rock walls and bizarre stalactite formations. The main attractions include a stalactite about 60 meters long and the impressive Salle du Grand Dôme.
Font-de-Gaume Cave
East of the French commune Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in the Périgord Noir, the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume displays valuable Paleolithic artworks. These are primarily pictorial animal representations that were painted or engraved on the rock walls of the cave discovered in 1901, around 14,000 years ago. Among others, mammoths, reindeer, wild horses, and bison can be seen. Since 1979, the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage. To protect the narrow cave, visits are limited to 78 people per day, so advance booking is required. After the tour, an extraordinary archaeological collection awaits you at the Musée National de Préhistoire in Les Eyzies, about 1 kilometer away.
Cave of Lascaux
The 250 m long cave is not accessible to visitors for conservation reasons. However, you can admire the artworks through exact reproductions at the Center for Cave Art at the foot of the Lascaux Hill. The people of the Paleolithic era left behind around 17,000 years ago approximately 600 fascinating depictions, including almost 6,000 animals. Among the drawings and engravings was also one of a human figure. The outstanding motifs of the cave include the 5.20 m long depiction of a bull, the symbol of the Dordogne. In other passages, horses, deer, bison, ibex, and big cats can be seen. Additionally, tools, jewelry, and animal remains were found.
Vézère Valley
The Vézère Valley, also known as Vallée de la Vézère, is a picturesque region in the Périgord. It is characterized by its fascinating combination of prehistoric heritage and breathtaking landscape. The valley is famous for its numerous prehistoric caves and sites, including Lascaux with its impressive cave paintings. The surroundings of the Vézère Valley offer a diverse natural backdrop, including green hills, forests, and riverbanks, ideal for hiking. Along the Vézère, hikers can discover historic villages like Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and Montignac. This region is a paradise for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and hikers who want to experience a unique blend of culture and nature.
Périgord - Climate
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.