Bergerac, Dordogne: historic town, wine and places of interest

Why Bergerac is so popular with holidaymakers

Many holidaymakers choose to spend a day in Bergerac whilst staying at a holiday park in the Dordogne. The mix of history, wine and a cosy atmosphere attracts many visitors.

In Bergerac, there are no busy roads in the centre, but rather quiet streets, cosy terraces and squares where life mainly takes place outdoors. What’s more, the town is centrally located in the Dordogne. This makes it easy for many visitors to combine a stroll through the town with a visit to local vineyards, castles or other attractions in the region.

From Bergerac, you can explore the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne Valley or drive along one of the many scenic routes through the Dordogne and Lot.
For holidaymakers staying in a holiday home in France, Bergerac is an ideal destination for a day trip.

Stroll through the historic centre of Bergerac

The old town, also known as Vieux Bergerac, forms the heart of the city. Here you can stroll through narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, boutiques, wine shops and small restaurants.

One of the best-known streets is Rue Saint-Clar, a charming street lined with historic houses dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. This street is one of the most photographed spots in Bergerac.

Rue des Fontaines, Rue des Récollets, Rue des Conférences and Rue Neuve d’Argenson are also well worth a stroll. Around every corner, you’ll discover another little square, an old façade or a cosy terrace.
For many visitors, it is precisely this aimless strolling that is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Bergerac. It’s a brilliant way to spend a relaxing day whilst on holiday in south-west France.

Place Pélissière: the lively heart of Bergerac

Bergerac’s most famous square is Place Pélissière. This square is the town’s tourist centre and is surrounded by terraces, restaurants and historic buildings. On warm summer evenings in particular, there’s a lively atmosphere with packed terraces and buskers.

This is also where one of the most famous statues of Cyrano de Bergerac stands. Cyrano de Bergerac was a 17th-century French writer and soldier. Although he wasn’t actually from Bergerac, he became a symbol of the town thanks to Edmond Rostand’s famous play. The statues of Cyrano are now among the most photographed spots in Bergerac.

The square is also home to the historic Église Saint-Jacques. This church formed part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and is one of the city’s most important religious monuments.
If you would like to find out more about the town’s history, you can find further information on Wikipedia – Bergerac.

Shopping in Bergerac

For those who enjoy shopping whilst on holiday, Rue de la Résistance is highly recommended. This is Bergerac’s main shopping street, featuring clothes shops, specialist shops, bakeries, delicatessens and cosy cafés.

This street is also home to the impressive Église Notre-Dame, a nineteenth-century church with a striking dome. The building towers above the surrounding buildings and is one of Bergerac’s landmarks.

As well as the larger shops, Bergerac is home to many local businesses selling regional produce. It is a particular favourite with lovers of wine, foie gras, walnuts and other regional specialities.

Visit the Tobacco Museum

The Musée du Tabac tells the story of tobacco cultivation, which was vital to Bergerac’s economy for centuries. Housed in a historic building in the town centre, the museum offers an interesting insight into a lesser-known aspect of the Dordogne’s history.

For visitors keen to learn more about Bergerac’s past, the museum makes for an interesting addition to a stroll through the historic centre. The collection illustrates just how important the cultivation, trade and processing of tobacco once were to the region.

Wine tasting in Bergerac

Bergerac is inextricably linked to wine. The town is at the heart of a vast wine-growing region that attracts many visitors every year.

Surrounding Bergerac are well-known wine regions such as:

• Monbazillac
• Pécharmant
• Montravel
• Rosette
• Saussignac

The sweet white wine from Monbazillac, in particular, enjoys international renown. Many wineries offer guided tours and tastings where you can learn more about wine production in the Dordogne.

Would you like to discover more about the vineyards and wineries around Bergerac? Then be sure to explore the beautiful wine routes around Bergerac.

In the town centre is Quai Cyrano, where visitors can sample the various Bergerac wines. Here, you can not only taste wines but also learn more about the different Bergerac appellations and the history of winegrowing in the region.
Up-to-date information on wine routes, wineries and tastings can also be found on the official website of the Bergerac Tourist Office.

Canoeing and water sports

The Dordogne is renowned as one of France’s most beautiful rivers for water sports enthusiasts. During a holiday in this region, you can enjoy wonderful trips on the water.
Many holidaymakers combine a visit to Bergerac with a day’s canoeing on the Dordogne. Have you got the taste for it? Then why not take a trip on the Lot another time.

If you’d prefer to explore the Dordogne at a more leisurely pace, you can also join a cruise on a traditional gabare. These historic wooden boats were once used to transport goods along the river. During the trip, you’ll learn more about the history of Bergerac and the Dordogne’s important role in trade.
In addition, the Dordogne-Lot region offers plenty of other opportunities for water sports.

Cycling around Bergerac

The area around Bergerac is ideal for leisure cyclists. You’ll cycle past vineyards, forests, rivers and authentic French villages.
For inspiration, take a look at some lovely cycle routes in the Dordogne or along the Lot. For general information, please visit the Cycling in France page.
Active holidaymakers will also find plenty to enjoy here, thanks to the many sporting activities on offer in the Dordogne.

Bergerac with children

Bergerac is also a great destination for families. Children often enjoy hunting for the various Cyrano statues, having an ice cream in one of the squares or taking a boat trip on the Dordogne.
The region also offers countless activities for families. Find out more, for example, about a holiday with children in the Dordogne.

Visit the market in Bergerac

A visit to Bergerac isn’t complete without a stroll through one of the most beautiful markets in the Dordogne-Lot region. The Wednesday and Saturday morning markets, in particular, attract many visitors from across the region.
Around the market hall and the surrounding streets, local producers sell a wide range of regional specialities such as foie gras, walnuts, cheeses, honey, truffles and Bergerac wines.

During the summer months, lively evening markets are regularly organised in Bergerac and the surrounding villages. These markets focus on local produce, regional dishes, music and a relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors combine a visit to an evening market with an al fresco dinner, making these markets among the most popular summer activities in the Dordogne.
Would you like to find out more about the markets in the region? Then take a look at the pages on the markets around Lanzac and the markets around Mauroux.

Lovely day trips around Bergerac

Bergerac is situated in the heart of the Dordogne and is an excellent base from which to visit other well-known places in the region. Many holidaymakers combine a visit to Bergerac with a day trip to one of the most beautiful villages, castles or wine regions in south-west France. The Château de Monbazillac is one of the region’s best-known attractions and offers stunning views over the vineyards.
The official French tourist board also describes the Dordogne as one of the most beautiful regions in France, thanks to its combination of castles, caves, historic villages and riverside landscapes. Read more at France.fr – Périgord Dordogne.

The distances below give an indication of the driving distance from Bergerac and show why these destinations are so popular.

Tourist attractions in the area

If you’re staying at one of FranceComfort’s holiday parks in Lanzac or Mauroux , you can easily combine a visit to Bergerac with other well-known destinations such as Sarlat , Domme, Beynac-et-Cazenac and Monbazillac. Thanks to the good roads, many attractions in the Dordogne and the Lot are within an hour’s drive. This makes it easy to visit several historic towns, castles, wine regions and charming villages during your holiday.
Looking for more inspiration? Then take a look at the pages on the 14 most beautiful villages in the Dordogne-Lot. As well as these well-known villages, the region is home to many more charming tourist destinations.

Castles, caves and gastronomy

A holiday in the Dordogne isn’t just about towns and villages. The region is also renowned for its impressive history and natural beauty.
Discover the most beautiful castles and fortresses in the Dordogne. Guided tours are often available, which are also great fun for children. Another way to spend part ofthe day is to visit one of the Dordogne’s caves. At lunchtime and in the evening, you can enjoy the local cuisine. The expression ‘Royaume de la gueule’ (Kingdom of the Mouth) is a well-known nickname for the French region of Aquitaine and, specifically, the Dordogne department. During your holiday, you can indulge in the culinary delights of the Dordogne.

Practical tips for your visit to Bergerac

Bergerac has several car parks around the town centre. From most of these car parks, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the historic town centre.
You’ll need at least half a day to visit the town centre. If you’d also like to go on a wine tasting, visit the market or take a boat trip, a full day is recommended.
The best months to visit are May, June, September and October. During this period, temperatures are pleasant and it is often less crowded than during the summer months.

Bergerac has its own airport, making the town easily accessible for holidaymakers flying to south-west France. You can find flights, destinations and up-to-date travel information on the official website of Aéroport Bergerac Dordogne Périgord.

When is the best time to visit Bergerac?

Bergerac is attractive all year round, but every season has its own charm. April is usually quiet, with the first flowers bringing colour to the parks and vineyards. May offers pleasant temperatures and plenty of sunshine without the crowds of the high season. June is considered by many visitors to be the ideal month thanks to the lovely weather and lively terraces. In July and August, Bergerac is at its busiest, with plenty of events, markets and tourists. September is particularly popular due to the grape harvest in the surrounding wine regions. October is also an excellent month to visit Bergerac, with often pleasant late-summer temperatures and beautiful autumn colours in the Dordogne.
If you’re travelling to France by car, check in advance whether you need a Crit’Air environmental sticker for your route.

French atmosphere and events

During the summer months, events are regularly organised in Bergerac. Around Quatorze Juillet , the French national holiday on 14 July, there are often fireworks displays, concerts and festivities.
Other public holidays in France also regularly feature extra activities and markets.
In many village squares across the region, you’ll also see locals and tourists playing a game of jeu de boules together – a typical part of French culture.

Stay in a holiday home or holiday park in the Dordogne

If you’d like to explore Bergerac and the rest of the region, staying in one of FranceComfort’s holiday homes in France makes for an excellent base. From a comfortable villa in the Dordogne at one of the holiday parks in France, you can easily drive to Bergerac, Monbazillac, Sarlat and the region’s other highlights.

Anyone who falls in love with the region might even consider buying their own property. For some, buyinga holiday home in France is a lovely way to enjoy the Dordogne even more often.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Bergerac

How much time do you need for Bergerac?

Half a day is enough to explore the historic centre. If you’d also like to go on a wine tasting, visit a market, see a museum or go on a boat trip, you can easily spend a full day in Bergerac.

What are the most beautiful squares in Bergerac?

Place Pélissière, Place de la Mirpe and Place du Docteur Cayla are among the town’s most beautiful and well-known squares.

When are the market days in Bergerac?

The best-known markets take place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Here you’ll find plenty of local produce from the Dordogne.

Is Bergerac a good place to visit with children?

Yes. Thanks to the boat trips, the charming squares, the Cyrano statues and the many activities in the surrounding area, Bergerac is also a great destination for families.

Is Bergerac a good destination for a holiday in the Dordogne?

Absolutely. It is precisely the combination of wine, history, cosy terraces and its location on the Dordogne that makes Bergerac so appealing to many visitors. As a result, the town is one of the most popular day trips during a holiday in the Dordogne.

How far is Bergerac from Sarlat?

Sarlat-la-Canéda is about 65 kilometres from Bergerac. By car, the journey takes about an hour.

Where can you park in Bergerac?

There are several car parks around the historic centre. From most of these car parks, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the old town.

Does Bergerac have an airport?

Yes, Bergerac has its own airport with flights to various European destinations. This makes the town easily accessible for holidaymakers flying to south-west France.