BERGERAC AND CYCLING
The stages linking Bergerac and Périgueux are nothing new, even if solo efforts have often been the order of the day. Three times in the past, this same route has been used in the Grande Boucle, and in both directions, for a crucial time trial at the end of the race. The names of the winners speak for themselves: Jacques Anquetil in 1961 and Miguel Indurain in 1994 both built their success in the Tour that year, and Tony Martin showed his class as a TT rider in 2014. The sprinters also distinguished themselves here in 2017 with Marcel Kittel, and the Tour moved to another wine town, Cahors, for a stage won by Jacky Durand in 1994. But Bergerac is also the birthplace of a man who played a huge part in making the Tour what it is today. King of Parisian nightlife, Jean-Marie Rivière, a close friend of Jacques Goddet, never missed an opportunity to take part in the race, which he had been tasked with promoting by his director. His passion for racing began as a child on the roads of Dordogne, and he vowed to become a cyclist one day. "The Tour de France is one of the greatest shows in the world. It has everything: laughter, drama, tragedy, everything. The Tour de France is a work of Shakespeare," summed up our expert, who was passionate about the whimsical heroes of the sport, such as Luis Ocana.
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)
