Perigueux Attractions
Périgueux, situated on the right bank of the river Isle, is chief town of the département of Dordogne and of the region of Périgord and the see of a bishop. Its greatest attractions for visitors are the Roman remains and the medieval churches. The Cité, in the west of the present town, lies on the site of Roman Vesona. The medieval settlement of Puy-St-Front grew up between the fifth and 11th centuries around the abbey of St-Front. During the Hundred Years War the town withstood frequent attacks by English forces but was finally taken in 1356, to be restored to France four years later.
Old Town
Puy-St-Front, the old town of Périgueux, is now protected as an ancient monument. The Tour Mataguerre (late 15th C.) was part of the town's fortifications. Rue Limogeanne is lined with handsome Renaissance houses. From the Pont des Barris there is a fine view of St-Front and the riverbank with its old houses.
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Périgueux Cathedral
The Périgueux Cathedral dates from the early 12th C. The austere interior of the church is almost completely decoration free.
St Etienne
In Périgueux, the church of St Etienne, west of the town center, served as the cathedral until 1669. Built in the 12th C., it was partly destroyed in 1577, leaving only the west tower and two bays of the original building. It contains Baroque altars and a bishop's tomb.
Château de Hautefort
Looking out over the village of Hautefort is this impressive chateau. Once the home of Bertrand de Born, the greatest of the 12th C. troubadour-poets, this castle is now composed mainly of 17th C. restored buildings.
An impressive garden lies south of the castle, consisting of carefully maintained box hedges, yew and bedding plants.
An impressive garden lies south of the castle, consisting of carefully maintained box hedges, yew and bedding plants.
Hours
March 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 |
April 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
June 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
October 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
November 1 to November 11
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Montcaret - Abri du Poisson, France
(Near Perigueux)
Montcaret - Site archéologique
The archeological site of Montcaret contains many works from prehistory as well as a Gallo-Roman villa. The Moncaret site was excavated by Jules Formigé between 1922 and 1939.
Hours
May 28 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:45 | 9:45 | 9:45 | 9:45 | 9:45 | 9:45 | 9:45 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
October 1 to May 27
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Prignac-et-Marcamps - Grotte de Teyjat, France
(Near Perigueux)
Périgord Museum
In Périgord, in the Cours Tourny, which runs along the north side of the old town, is the Périgord Museum, with prehistoric and Gallo-Roman material from the surrounding area and a collection of pictures.
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Roman Remains
Although the Gallo-Roman town was used as a quarry of building stone, Périgueux has preserved a number of Roman remains. The most striking is the Tour de Vésone, a round tower 24m/80ft high with an internal diameter of 17m/55ft which was the cella of a Gallo-Roman temple. Near the church of St Etienne are a few fragments of an amphitheater which originally had seating for 20,000 spectators.
