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BERGERAC
The Vineyard
Characteristics: The Bergerac vineyards stretch along both banks of the Dordogne. About 1,200 winegrowers cultivate roughly 570,000 hectolitres per year across 12,000 hectares. They produce five colours of wine under 13 AOCs.
Maison Peyrarède (Château Henri IV)
Construction: 1604
Style: Renaissance
History: Built by Mathium Peyrarède, a wealthy draper, the house is also known as Château Henri IV.
Current use: Houses the Tobacco Anthropology Museum, featuring a remarkable collection of tobacco art objects, manufacturing techniques, and smoking accessories.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1947)
Château de Lespinassat
Construction: 16th century
History: Built by the Alba family, originally from Spain. The current manor house replaced a defensive structure in the 17th century and was remodelled in the 18th century, including the addition of a gallery in 1734. The estate has several bridges crossing moats, pavilions, and old wine cellars.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1989)
Old Bridge
Construction: 1209 (rebuilt 1822–1825)
History: Originally built in 1209, it suffered destruction due to war and floods. The current structure celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025.
Characteristics: Five arches, 160 metres long and 16 metres high, constructed from cut stone and brick.
Notre-Dame Church in Bergerac
Construction: 1856–1865
Style: Neo-Gothic
History: Built under Abbé Julien Macerouze during a period of Catholic revival. Architect Paul Abadie followed plans inspired by Viollet-le-Duc. Consecrated on 6 August 1865 by Cardinal Donnet. Restoration of bell tower and spire occurred 2009–2019.
Characteristics: Latin cross shape, 96 m long, 22.8 m wide at nave, 39.1 m wide at transept. Bell tower with spire, three bells (largest over 2 tonnes). Choir over two bays and circular sanctuary supported by six pillars. Includes three chapels and two sacristies. Nave height: 20 m. Total area: 2,246 m².
Listed as: Historic Monument (2002)
Saint-Jacques Church
Construction: 16th century
Style: Gothic
History: First chapel mentioned in 1088. Destroyed in 1345 by the English; rebuilt 1377. Enlarged in the early 16th century. Damaged during Wars of Religion in 1553, rebuilt in 1620 and completed in 1685 with support from Louis XIV. Some interior decoration removed in the 1970s to comply with the Second Vatican Council.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1974)
