Towns and Cities

Brantôme

Often called the ‘Venice of Périgord’. A picturesque village set on the river with good restaurants and all amenities.

Ribérac

A bustling town with all amenities and an excellent market on Friday. Also fishing and canoeing.

St Séverin

A village with a butcher, baker, pharmacist, newsagent and post office.

Tocane St Apre

A town with various shops, restaurants and cafés, leisure activities, river swimming and a market on Monday

Verteillac

A busy village with restaurants, bars, butcher, baker, pharmacist, post office and newsagent’s. Also tennis and horse riding.

Villambard

A peaceful market town with a weekly market, butcher, baker, newsagent, restaurant and very good wine shop. There is also a working distillery and shop.

Mussidan

A typical French village with winding, narrow streets and traditional houses. It has a butcher, baker, pharmacist, newsagent, major supermarkets, bars, restaurants and cafés. Also bicycle hire and canoeing.

Cities

Angoulême

A lively city with all amenities. There is a market every morning and special market on Saturday.

Angoulême is protected by boulevards or ramparts rather than the traditional walls. There is an annual car race around them. They give fantastic views in all directions. The streets of the city are narrow and winding, reflecting its medieval past.

Saint Pierre cathedral dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. The hôtel de ville has art and archaeology museums. The annual Angoulême International Comics Festival takes place here.

Bergerac

A lively city with all amenities. There are vineyards and châteaux close by. The city itself is a mixture of narrow medieval streets and expansive squares. Worth a visit are the Notre-Dâme cathedral, a neo-gothic masterpiece, the tobacco museum, the covered market and the Cyrano de Bergerac statue which was unveiled in 2005.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a triumph of 18th century architecture and a real tourist destination. Arc en Rêve is a prestigious architecture centre with exhibitions and conferences. The city has three world heritage sights: the Saint-André Cathedral, the Saint-Seurin Basilica and the Saint-Michel Basilica. Seeing a production at the Grand Théâtre makes a great night out. The tram system makes getting around easy and enjoyable.

Limoges

Limoges’ architecture is charming. Pink granite buildings sit well with the half-timbered medieval buildings. The 15th century cathedral is well worth a visit. As you’d expect, the city has a fine museum devoted to its porcelain and enamel ware – Le Musée Municipal de l’Evêché. This museum also has a fine collection of Impressionist works, including some Renoirs, as well as an Egyptian archaeology collection. The Evêché Gardens are also a must-see.

Périgueux

Périgueux is a fine example of a medieval city and the capital of Périgord. It has all the amenities you’d expect, including spectacular food markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It also has an extensive Roman history which is reflected in the amphitheatre and the Roman villa, Domus of Vesunna. It is a treasure trove of museums and art galleries. There are museums devoted to its Roman history, its archaeology, its military history and to trompe-l’oeil. The 12th century cathedral, St Front, is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Golf fans will be pleased to hear that there’s a golf club too.