PÉRIGUEUX
Vesunna Museum Site
History: In 1959, archaeological excavations revealed a domus (Roman villa) richly decorated with murals and mosaics.
Characteristics: Protected by a scenographic and architectural project by Jean Nouvel, the museum presents collections on the ancient city and its inhabitants (1st–3rd centuries AD).
Label: Musée de France since 19 November 2009.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1963).
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Tour de Vésone
Construction: 1st–2nd century
History: 24-metre-high circular tower, part of one of the largest Roman temples in Gaul. Represents the cultural fusion of Celtic fanum and Roman temple architecture.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1846).
Amphitheatre of Périgueux
Construction: 1st century
History: Seats 18,000; initially built during the reign of Tiberius. Later reused in the Middle Ages for fortifications and in 17th century for convent construction. Stones partially destroyed and covered in the 19th century to create Jardin des Arènes.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1840).
Jardin des Arènes
Characteristics: Public garden surrounding the remains of the Roman amphitheatre. Features centuries-old trees, ponds, play areas, and visible vomitoria, stairwells, and vaults.
Périgord Museum of Art and Archaeology (MAAP)
Established: 1835
Characteristics: Major 19th-century museum tracing visual arts from prehistory to present. Prehistory collection is the fourth largest in France with 18,500 items.
Label: Musée de France.
Protected Area
Characteristics: 21.5 hectares encompassing medieval and Renaissance town. Features half-timbered houses, Romanesque civil architecture, and Renaissance mansions. Mataguerre Tower, the last rampart tower, is open to visitors (listed 1840). Quais houses include Salleton mansion (1938), Consuls’ house, and Lambert house (1889).
Saint-Front Cathedral
Construction: 12th–19th century
Style: Byzantine Romanesque
History: First church built by Bishop Chronope (500–536). Rebuilt in the 12th century with domes inspired by St Mark’s Basilica. Enlarged until the 16th century, destroyed by Huguenots, rebuilt and became a cathedral in 1669. Restored in the 18th century.
Characteristics: 12th-century Romanesque-Byzantine style. North porch (25 m) with terrace and five bays; crypts under north and south domes; bell tower 62 m high.
Listed as: Historic Monument (1840, 1889). UNESCO World Heritage Site (Routes of Santiago de Compostela).
Saint-Étienne de la Cité Church
Construction: 11th–12th centuries
Style: Romanesque
History: First cathedral of Périgueux until 1669. Restored in the early 19th century and again 2010–2021.
Characteristics: Retains one original Romanesque bay and two of four domes (one 15 m in diameter).
Listed as: Historic Monument (1840).
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)
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