Périgueux, ville d'art et d'histoire, ville fleurie  

Périgueux is well worth visiting at any time of the year. Roman remains testify to its ancient past, whilst the Cathedral Saint Front dominates the main historical centre, mostly built between the 17th and 19th centuries. This old town centre has many beautiful buildings, narrow streets and inviting squares which give the town a very pleasant, intimate atmosphere. A marked pedestrian route will help you discover the outstanding treasures of the town.

A further attraction is the famous Périgueux market which takes place twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The stallholders offer fresh products from the area. In the summer months, a highlight is the many varieties of locally grown strawberries. An occasion not to be missed, the market is also a place to meet and socialize. Périgueux has, in addition, a variety of nice shops and a wide range of delicatessens. In these you will find the well known Périgordian products such as duck and goose 'foie gras', 'confit de canard', smoked duck fillets, walnuts and chestnuts. If you are looking for wine, there is a good selection of wine shops, specialising in wines from the local areas of Bergerac and Bordeaux. If chocolate is what you fancy, you will not be disappointed by the town's outstanding chocolate shops and "chocolatiers", where homemade chocolate creations can be admired. Or you may simply wish, like the local French population, to spend your day studying the menus offered by the large number of restaurants, in order to make your choice for lunch or dinner. The range of restaurants in the town is wide: from basic snack bars or bistros, to Michelin starred restaurants; there is something for everyone, to meet all tastes and purses.

In the winter months, there is a special 'marché au gras' or 'fat market' where local farmers sell their own duck and goose products for which the Périgord is world famous. Not forgetting, of course, that the Périgord also provides some of the best black truffles in the world. If you are lucky, you will find some of them on sale in the winter market.

You will not easily get bored in Périgueux. A wide range of activities are organised throughout the year. In the Summer there are virtually daily events. You will find a small overview of the current agenda in the right hand column.

Périgueux is conveniently located in the centre of the department of the Dordogne. Within a radius of 60 kilometres of the town, there are many interesting castles and caves to be visited, numerous charming villages and wonderful countryside. Within the immediate vicinity of the town, there are many well signposted trails for walking or mountain biking. The hilly landscape, carved through by quiet, narrow country roads, is an invitation to beautiful sportive bike rides. Autumn and spring are ideal for an active holiday, and even the mild winters can sometimes offer perfect conditions. Every season has its own charm, depending on what you are looking for. We would recommend that if you wish to visit the main tourist attractions such as Sarlat, Les Eyzies or Brantome, you avoid the very busy months of July and August. On the other hand, July and August are a perfect time to benefit from the cultural and swinging programme of Périgueux itself.