The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne département, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine région. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir (Black), the Périgord Blanc (White), the Périgord Vert (Green) and the Périgord Pourpre (Purple). The geography and natural resources of the Périgord make it one of the most unspoiled regions of Europe, and the newly created Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin aims to conserve it as such. The area is noted for its cuisine, more particularly its products related to ducks and geese, such as foie gras. It is one of the truffle areas of France, historically the most famous. Périgourdine wines include the famed Bergerac (red and white) and Monbazillac. The préfecture (capital) of the Dordogne is Périgueux, a city steeped in history. The whole area is known as the 'cradle of mankind' due to its wealth of prehistoric sites, of which the most famous prehistoric site is the painted cave of Lascaux, whose depictions of aurochs, horses, deer and other animals (but not of humans) date back some 17,000 years. 19th century archaeological investigations established the valley of the River Vezere as an unusually rich array of pre-historic sites dating back some 40,000 years. One of UNESCO's World Heritage locations, the valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Palaeolithic era and 25 decorated caves. The Périgord, one of the main battlegrounds of Hundred Years' War between the French and English in the 14th and 15th centuries, is also the land of 1001 medieval and Renaissance castles like Puymartin, Losse, Hautefort and Beynac situated mainly along the Dordogne and Vézère rivers.

 

Périgueux is the capital of Dordogne Department and a vibrant modern town with a long history. Originally a Gallic settlement, the city passed to the Romans, whose remains include the Tour de Vésone, built in the first century AD. The church of la Cité and the Saint-Front cathedral are 12th century; constructed in the shape of a Greek cross, the domed cathedral was a rendez-vous point for pilgrims on the long road to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James of Compostela in Santiago. The city was held by the English during most of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), and in the 16th century it was a stronghold of Protestantism. Nowadays Perigueux is an administrative and economic centre of about 30,000 people and it has the shops to prove it, and plenty of cultural life too.

Hotels we suggest in Perigueux:
Perigueux Residence Hoteliere (privately owned)
Hotel Ibis
Hotel Mercure
Hotel Bristol (privately owned)