This road trip through Dordogne-Périgord starts in the town of Bergerac with its statue of Cyrano, capital of the "Purple Périgord", so called for its wines and the colour of its landscapes in autumn. A route to lose yourself in bastides, castles such as Monbazillac, vineyards and one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
What to see in Bergerac, a town declared a place of art and history in France
The town of Bergerac is the starting point for this Dordogne-Périgord car tour. A leisurely stroll through Cyrano's homeland will lead you to one of its three museums such as the Museum of Tobacco Anthropology: unique in Europe, this museum, housed in a beautiful building dating back to 1604, traces 3,000 years of history and culture through its exceptional collections. Located on the banks of the Dordogne River, Bergerac was a major centre for boat transport. Even today, you can sail on a gabarre (a flat-bottomed boat) along the river. The town's pleasant pedestrian streets allow you to discover its half-timbered houses, with medieval or Renaissance windows; among them, the statues of Cyrano de Bergerac stand out.
Day 1: Bergerac, the bastides and medieval towns of the Périgord
Continue your route with a stop in the medieval village of Issigeac and its architectural treasures, before reaching Monpazier, a “model” bastide of south-west France , it is one of the 10 "Most Beautiful Villages in France" in Dordogne-Périgord. Continue to Montferrand du Périgord , where you will find some of the houses of Périgord with Renaissance facades. Then, the road will lead you to the abbey of Saint-Avit-Sénieur, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . You will continue to the village of Cadouin , which has in its Cistercian abbey a beautiful cloister, listed as a Historic Monument. It is a masterpiece of extravagant Gothic art on the Ways of St. James.
Before returning to Bergerac to end this first day by car through Dordogne-Périgord, we recommend a stop in Lalinde, the first English fortified town in the Périgord with its canal, aqueducts and locks, and in Molières .
Day 2: Sightseeing along the Bergerac wine route
To round off your discovery of Bergerac in the best possible way, visit the Quai Cyrano (the former home of Bergerac Wines), in the streets of the old town. In this cloister of Recoletos (1630), you will get to know the flavours and textures of the Bergerac vineyard. The visit is free and they can also give you recommendations for visits to the wine estates of the Pays de Bergerac.
Then, take the Bergerac Wine Route to rediscover the cultural and natural wine heritage of the Pays de Bergerac region. You can visit a wine estate among the 100 vineyards that make up the wine route, in search of one of the 13 Bergerac appellations, such as Monbazillac, Pécharmant and Saussignac.
Dordogne-Perigord is a land of gastronomy, and you will find many restaurants along your route where you can try the region's specialities such as foie gras, duck or Cabécou cheese, accompanied by a good Bergerac wine ! After lunch, a short walk through the lush Monbazillac vineyard will help you digest your meal. Visit the Maison de Vins de Monbazillac , where you can sample wines from independent winegrowers.
On this 2-day itinerary by car through Dordogne-Périgord, we cannot forget to visit the Château de Monbazillac , the symbol of the Pays de Bergerac. Listed as a historical monument, it presents a unique and original architecture, reflecting a harmonious encounter between the medieval military model and the first elegance of the Renaissance.
Where to eat in Dordogne-Périgord
To enjoy the gastronomy of the Périgord, we recommend 2 restaurants in Monbazillac , where you can try typical, quality Périgord food:
- La Tour des Vents , Michelin star.
- La Grappe d'Or , an authentic winegrower's table.
Holidays in the Pays de Bergerac in Dordogne-Périgord
Located in the Dordogne-Périgord region, the Bergerac Vignoble & Bastides region offers a remarkable heritage, unspoilt natural spaces and a wide range of Bergerac wines and Périgord gastronomy.
By France.fr
El equipo editorial de France.fr sigue de cerca las tendencias y noticias del destino para mostrarte una Francia que innova y renueva sus tradiciones. Nuestra pasión es contar historias y descubrir los talentos que te inspirarán a explorar nuestros territorios.
