Domes and turrets of Cathedral de Saint Front stood out on the Isle River. Périgueux is the capital of Dordogne, a department in southwestern France that serves as a good base while traveling in the magnificent villages of Dordogne. Their tourism office gave it a moniker, Supérigeux with the emphasis on super and together we'll discover why it is so.
This is the second part of my Dordogne River Valley Series when my family and I took an unplanned road trip to Dordogne during our vacation in France in the spring of 2019. Previously, we have explored the peaceful yet scenic village of Bourdeilles.
Allow me to take you on a virtual tour. On y va!
Things to do in Périgueux
Explore Périgueux on Foot
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, on the day of my daughter's birthday. We stayed in a budget hotel at the heart of the city, a stone throw away from the closed Tourism Office. We took to the cobblestone streets immediately after breakfast.
Cathedral de Saint Front
The Saint-Front Cathedral, also known as the Périgueux Cathedral is a Catholic Church built in the 4th and 5th Centuries. It sits majestically at the medieval center of Périgueux.
Who is Saint-Front though? I grew up in a Catholic School but his name didn't really ring a bell. Saint-Front is the first bishop of Périgueux who came to Perigord on an evangelical mission. He lived in a cave as a hermit. His body is currently resting in the Monastery of Puy Saint-Front.
Thouin Garden (Jardin du Thouin)
There's a beautiful garden with a stunning viewpoint around this historical complex.
Interesting to note that these Romanesque-style buildings are classified as French Historic Monuments and were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 even though it was restored in the 19th Century.
Long City Walk
Explore small alleys and the rich architecture of this Dordogne jewel on the Isle River for a 6- kilometer walk.
At one point, I tried to imagine what it felt like living here. My husband and I had a solid discussion on the downsides and advantages of living in an apartment in an old building.
There's just something romantic about walking on cobblestone streets to buy fresh baguettes every morning, to catch up with a friend in a bistro at the heart of town, and a relaxing stroll along the river. I often wonder whether residents here share my sentiments but I guess I'll never find out.
The Eschif: A House Built on Top of a Wall
This eye-catching oak timber frame structure supported with struts is nestled just across the quay. It's 700 years old which served as a lookout that was built on the preserved medieval ramparts.
Visit Traditional Markets & Taste Locally-Produced Specialties
What's great about Grand Périgueux is the easy access to local produce not only on Sundays. Here, it's possible to meet the farmers directly from Wednesdays to Sundays with their own dedicated schedule to showcase their locally produced specialties.
The Poultry Market and Foie Gras
Once a month, they hold food tastings here so enjoy your foie gras with fig or sample duck rillette.
Truffle Market
They hold truffle fairs with truffle hunting and tasting events annually from January to February.
The Red Pearl of Périgord
Strawberry is the favorite fruit of the French according to this article since it's low in calories with lots of antioxidants. Dordogne is known for strawberry farming.
Gourmet Night Markets
The streets come alive with gourmet night markets during the summer where wine producers and artisans of the region celebrate culinary delights with live music events.
Hiking Trails around Périgueux
Grand Perigueux is packed with 96 loops of walking and hiking trails fit for the young and old, whether you're an avid hiker or someone who just fancy an easy stroll in nature with gorgeous views.
We went for a long afternoon stroll and here are some of the views we've seen.
It was a full day of walking. We got lost a few times in the trail but that was part of the fun. Our evening ended with a nice birthday meal at Courtepaille (nothing fancy) where I ordered my favorite ratatouille with a slice of beef tenderloin.
Thank you for reading and for joining me on this virtual tour. Catch me next week for another part of my Dordogne River Valley Series.
Reference:
Superigueux Tourisme
Wikipedia: Perigueux