Photo of Perigord Pourpre

Visit Perigord Pourpre

Purple Perigord, named for the grapes of the region, is to the south-west of the Dordogne and centred around Bergerac. Bergerac is also the most common arrival point for visitors to the region, since the opening of Bergerac airport.

The Perigord Pourpre is probably the second most popular part of the Perigord region after Perigord Noir. It is home to a number of bastide towns and medieval villages

The countryside in the region is one of rolling hills, fields of sunflowers, and ancient farms set in attractive countryside, in addition to the many vineyards in the region. Many well known wines are produced in the Bergerac region. See Bergerac wines.

Explore the Perigord Pourpre

Around Bergerac

Bergerac

Bergerac is the biggest town in the Perigord Pourpre and its medieval old town is delightful. It also has an excellent selection of shops and bars and restaurants.

East of Bergerac

Cadouin

Following the river to the east from Bergerac leads to the market town of Lalinde and on to Le-Buisson-de-Cadouin which is popular for its river beach. Continue a little further and you get to the charming village of Tremolat which sits next to a deep loop in the river called the Cingle de Tremolat. It is also home to one of the most reputed restaurants in the area; the Vieux Logis.

The river then sweeps into another loop as it approaches Limeuil which is one of the Dordogne's "most beautiful villages" and is also the point where the Dordogne river meets the Vezere river. Near to here is the village of Paunat with its abbey-church and the gardens of the Chartreuse-du-Colombier.

The delightful village of Cadouin is near to here and has an important abbey and cloisters and a large stone halle.

Nearby Beaumont is one of the attractive bastide villages of the area and Molieres is another. Saint Avit Senieur is another village with an important abbey and if you are here take a look at the nearby village of Montferrand-du-Perigord which is small but charming.

A little further to the sout east is the village of Monpazier which is classified as one of the "most beautiful villages" of France and in our opinion is one of the best of these! Nearby is the impressive Chateau de Biron which is open to visitors and south of here is the quiet bastide town of Villefranche-du-Perigord.

South of Bergerac

Issigeac

Heading south of Bergerac you will find yourself immediately surrounded by vineyards and the vineyard and Chateau of Monbazillac is one of the most famous of these. Further south is the delightful medieval village of Issigeac which has the air of not having changed for centuries and which has a particularly popular market every Sunday morning.

Also south of Bergerac is the popular bastide village of Eymet.

West of Bergerac

Jardins de Sardy

There are also some popular places to visit in the region about 40 km to the west of Bergerac

The castle of  Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne which was owned by the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne is part opened to the public and the nearby archaeological site at Montcaret has the ruins of a Gallo-roman villa.

Also in this direction are the beautiful gardens, the Jardins de Sardy.

Outside the Dordogne department but certain to be on your agenda if you are in this region is the stunning UNESCO listed town (and world renowned Bordeaux wine producing region) at Saint Emilion.

For the other parts of the Perigord see: Perigord Noir, Perigord Vert and Perigord Blanc.

See also: 

Map of Perigord Pourpre and places to visit

 
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Perigord Pourpre places to visit

Beaumont-du-Perigord

Beaumont-du-Perigord

Beaumont is an attractive bastide town with an imp...

Beaumont-du-Perigord guide
Bergerac

Bergerac

Bergerac is a vibrant market town with a lovely medieval centre.

Bergerac guide
Bergerac Aqua Park

Bergerac Aqua Park

Bergerac Aqua Park is a water park with four pools set on the edge of the Dordogne river.

Bergerac Aqua Park guide
Cadouin

Cadouin

Cadouin is a charming village with a Cistercian Abbey and a Gothic cloister.

Cadouin guide
Cadouin Abbey and Cloister

Cadouin Abbey and Cloister

Cadouin Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian abbey with a beautiful Gothic cloister.

Cadouin Abbey and Cloister guide
Chartreuse du Colombier

Chartreuse du Colombier

The gardens of the Chartreuse du Colombier are very pretty and made even more attractive by their charming setting.

Chartreuse du Colombier guide
Chateau de Biron

Chateau de Biron

The Chateau de Biron has some lovely architectural features.

Chateau de Biron guide
Chateau de Bridoire

Chateau de Bridoire

This chateau is full of medieval-related games and is good fun for visitors with children.

Chateau de Bridoire guide
Chateau de Tiregand

Chateau de Tiregand

The Chateau de Tiregand is a wine chateau in the Dordogne.

Chateau de Tiregand guide
Eymet

Eymet

Eymet is a pretty bastide town with the ruins of a castle.

Eymet guide
Issac

Issac

Issac is a small village with a pretty church at its centre.

Issac guide
Issigeac

Issigeac

Issigeac is a beautiful medieval village well worth a visit.

Issigeac guide
Lalinde

Lalinde

Lalinde is a pleasant town on the edge of the Dordogne river.

Lalinde guide
Le Chateau de Monbazillac

Le Chateau de Monbazillac

Monbazillac is home to the chateau de Monbazillac and its vineyards.

Le Chateau de Monbazillac guide
Les Grottes de Maxange

Les Grottes de Maxange

The ceilings of the Maxange cave are covered in a tiny and rare from of twisting stalactites.

Les Grottes de Maxange guide
Les Jardins de Planbuisson

Les Jardins de Planbuisson

The Jardins de Planbuisson is a garden almost entirely planted with bamboo.

Les Jardins de Planbuisson guide
Les Jardins de Sardy

Les Jardins de Sardy

A pretty garden with a stunning pond and fountains.

Les Jardins de Sardy guide
Les Jardins Panoramique de Limeuil

Les Jardins Panoramique de Limeuil

A large park with a stunning view over the river confluence below.

Les Jardins Panoramique de Limeuil guide
Limeuil

Limeuil

Limeuil is a most beautiful village of France.

Limeuil guide
Molieres

Molieres

Molieres is a quiet bastide town with a pretty central square.

Molieres guide
Monpazier

Monpazier

Monpazier is one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Monpazier guide
Montcaret

Montcaret

Montcaret is home to a Roman villa with substantial mosaics.

Montcaret guide
Montferrand du Perigord

Montferrand du Perigord

Montferrand du Perigord is a picturesque village whose church has some medieval frescoes.

Montferrand du Perigord guide
Montpeyroux

Montpeyroux

Montpeyroux is home to the chateau where Montaigne's younger brother lived.

Montpeyroux guide
Parc en Ciel

Parc en Ciel

Parc en Ciel is an excellent treetop adventure park with a natural swimming pool.

Parc en Ciel guide
Paunat

Paunat

Paunat is a pretty village with an abbey-church.

Paunat guide
Saint Avit Senieur

Saint Avit Senieur

Saint-Avit-Senieur is an attractive village with a large ruined abbey.

Saint Avit Senieur guide
Saint Michel de Montaigne

Saint Michel de Montaigne

Saint Michel de Montaigne is home to the chateau where Michel de Montaigne lived.

Saint Michel de Montaigne guide
Tremolat

Tremolat

Tremolat is a charming village set next to a deep bend in the Dordogne river.

Tremolat guide
Urval

Urval

Urval is a charming village with a communal bread oven.

Urval guide
Villefranche-de-Lonchat

Villefranche-de-Lonchat

Villefranche-de-Lonchat is a small bastide village with a gothic church and an impressive mansion on its main square.

Villefranche-de-Lonchat guide
Villefranche-du-Perigord

Villefranche-du-Perigord

Villefranche du Perigord is an attractive bastide village.

Villefranche-du-Perigord guide
 
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