{"id":7434,"date":"2021-04-07T09:37:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T08:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/visit-perigueux-our-favorites-and-our-itinerary-perigord\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T11:22:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T09:22:45","slug":"visit-perigueux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/visit-perigueux\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit P\u00e9rigueux: a Perigordian’s favorites and our itinerary so you don’t miss a thing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Perigueux<\/strong> is the city where I grew up and lived until I was 18 (Floriane). So I’m a true P\u00e9rigourdine<\/strong>! My family still lives there, so we go there regularly on weekends or vacations. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Wondering what to see and do in P\u00e9rigueux<\/strong> during your stay in the Dordogne? Which restaurants offer the best P\u00e9rigord specialities? You’ve come to the right place! <\/p>\n\n

I love showing my friends and family around the capital of the Dordogne<\/strong> and P\u00e9rigord Blanc<\/strong>. It’s a pleasant city that appeals to all travelers. I had to write an article about this little corner of paradise. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Below, we share with you <\/span>our 10 must-sees<\/strong>, our ideal walking itinerary<\/strong> for a weekend and our secrets<\/strong> for visiting P\u00e9rigueux like a local.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n

We also relied on my family<\/strong> and our friends in the P\u00e9rigord region<\/strong> to unearth all these nuggets<\/strong> and bring you the most comprehensive article<\/strong>possible.<\/p>\n\n

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What to see and do in P\u00e9rigueux our top 10 <\/h2>\n\n

As you’ll see, there’s plenty to see and do in P\u00e9rigueux, and it changes with the seasons, so we’ve put a lot of thought into this top 10<\/strong> list! <\/span><\/p>\n\n

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  1. A view of<\/strong> P\u00e9rigueux from above<\/strong> at Saint-Front Cathedral<\/strong> (in summer)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Explore the medieval center<\/strong> of P\u00e9rigueux on foot<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Take the most beautiful photo<\/strong> of P\u00e9rigueux, along the Isle river<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Discover P\u00e9rigueux on the water<\/strong>, by canoe<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Enjoy the incredible atmosphere on market<\/strong> days <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Try one of P\u00e9rigourdine’s delicious culinary specialties<\/strong> (truffles, foie gras, Sarladaise potatoes…)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Explore the ancient city of Vesona<\/strong> and its Gallo-Roman<\/strong> Vesuna Museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Admire the pretty half-timbered houses on the quayside<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. P\u00e9rigueux’s famous fat<\/strong> and truffle<\/strong> markets (autumn and winter)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Events that will keep you coming back all year round, including Mimos<\/strong>, the summer street arts festival!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Visit P\u00e9rigueux on foot for a weekend? <\/h2>\n\n

    The city of P\u00e9rigueux can be visited easily, on foot, in 2 days<\/strong>. <\/span>It is a city where it is pleasant to stroll, in order to discover at the bend of a curve superb buildings or a pleasant small place to take a break. <\/span> <\/p>\n\n

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    We recommend that you visit the contemporary and medieval<\/strong> city<\/strong> on the first day<\/strong>, that is to say the protected sector of P\u00e9rigueux, which extends from the quays to all the alleys around the Mataguerre Tower. Then, on the second day<\/strong>, the many remains of the ancient Roman city<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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    \"Walking<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

    Day 1 –<\/strong> Market, walking tour of the old town and cathedral: the medieval part<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

    On the first day, enjoy the incredible atmosphere of the market<\/strong> on Place du <\/b>Coder<\/b> and Place de la <\/b>Clautre<\/strong>, and try out the specialties of the P\u00e9rigord region<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

    Several caf\u00e9s and bars<\/strong> surround the different markets, it is an ideal moment to drink a coffee while observing the pleasant surrounding agitation, Caf\u00e9 De La Truffe<\/strong>, Caf\u00e9 Cr\u00e8me<\/strong> (with view on the Saint-Front cathedral)…<\/p>\n\n

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    Our<\/strong> must-sees: the foie gras market<\/strong>, where you can buy P\u00e9rigord foie gras, and the truffle market<\/strong>, where you can smell and buy real P\u00e9rigord truffles<\/strong>. The producers, passionate, will also give you plenty of explanations and advice. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

    The days and times of the markets are indicated below in the agenda section.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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    \"Périgueux<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

    After enjoying a delicious P\u00e9rigord meal<\/strong> at one of the town\u2019s many restaurants, it\u2019s time to explore the old town<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

    Read our article about our favorite restaurants in P\u00e9rigueux<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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    \"Périgueux<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

    Thetourist office located in the Place du Coderc<\/strong> offers tourist circuits to discover the different points of interest of the city. We recommend that you download the @Perigueux Android<\/a> and Apple Store<\/a> application which also offers several routes. <\/p>\n\n

    ➡️ Our itinerary to not miss anything, we suggest a route of about 2km, <\/b>count 3h of visit, excluding the visit of the roofs. The numbers in brackets allow you to find the places mentioned on our map : <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

    1. The cathedral <\/strong><\/span>Saint-Front and its roofs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    Listed as aUnesco<\/strong> World Heritage Site, it is the emblematic building of P\u00e9rigueux. It is a must, that you cannot miss, during your stay in P\u00e9rigueux! It was restored by the architect Paul Abadie, who later designed the Sacr\u00e9-Coeur<\/strong> in Paris. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

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    Our recommendation: <\/strong> Take the high ground and visit the roofs of the cathedral<\/strong> to see the different domes up close. This visit will allow you to have very beautiful points of view on the river, the center and the surroundings of P\u00e9rigueux. An unforgettable activity that we’ve already done 3 times! <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

    Tours are available from June through August; the adult admission fee is \u20ac7. Please contactthe P\u00e9rigueuxTourist Office<\/a> to book.<\/em> The interior of the cathedral is open to the public every day (check Google Maps for hours).<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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    2. Stroll the narrow streets and charming squares of the city center<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n

    Discover on foot the Place du March\u00e9 au Bois<\/strong> (2), the adorable Rue Limogeanne<\/strong> (3) (a must-see), a cobbled pedestrian street, the Place Saint-Louis<\/strong> (4) with its small restaurants and famous statue, and the charming Place Saint-Silain<\/strong> (5)…<\/p>\n\n

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    Our recommendation<\/strong>: stop off at Place du March\u00e9 au Bois for a home-made “Aux glaces de Fanny” ice-cream waffle, in the shade of the tall trees, to regain your strength before the rest of your visit! You may come across us, this is one of our favorite sweet breaks in P\u00e9rigueux! <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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    3. Explore the medieval part of P\u00e9rigueux <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n

    Start with the magnificent Mataguerre tower<\/strong> (6), the last tower of the medieval wall that protected the city. <\/p>\n\n

    Then continue towards the pretty half-timbered houses of the quays<\/strong>: theEschif<\/strong> (7), “moulin de Saint-Front” a magnificent half-timbered<\/strong> house, then the house of the consuls (8) and finally the Lambert house (9) with its pretty columns. <\/p>\n\n

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    4. Discover the greenway and take THE best photo of P\u00e9rigueux <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n

    The quays along the Isle river are another place not to be missed, during your stay in P\u00e9rigueux. You can rent bicycles<\/strong> for a longer ride, or go canoeing<\/strong> (more about that below) to enjoy beautiful views over the city. <\/p>\n\n

    An unmissable event during your summer stay<\/strong>, P\u00e9rigueux plage is the little sister of Paris Plage, which we used to visit when we lived in Paris. Fromsummer 2021<\/strong>, the banks of the Isle will be transformed, offering a surprising space for leisure<\/strong> and relaxation <\/strong>for young and old in the heart of the city. Open from mid-July to mid-August. <\/p>\n\n

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    Our recommendation:<\/strong> As you cross the Barris Bridge, the pleasant stroll along the Isle River offers an incredible view of Saint-Front Cathedral<\/strong> (10), and you\u2019ll have the chance to take one of the best photos<\/strong> of the cathedral!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

    ➡️A P\u00e9rigueux, we recommend a trip with the P\u00e9rigueux canoe club<\/a>, which offers several routes, including one along the quays of P\u00e9rigueux<\/strong> with a lovely view of Saint-Front cathedral<\/strong>. Thanks to our friend Kevin, our canoeing expert in the Dordogne, who has been canoeing in clubs for many years and who recommended this club for which he used to work and this trip! <\/p>\n\n

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    5. Museum of Art and Archaeology of the P\u00e9rigord, ideal for families<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    In case of bad weather, you can fall back on P\u00e9rigueux’s museums<\/a>, including the Mus\u00e9e d’art et d’arch\u00e9ologie du P\u00e9rigord<\/a> in the center of P\u00e9rigueux. <\/p>\n\n

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    This is an ideal family activity for children, with a treasure hunt that takes them through the various rooms, with the game changing regularly. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

    My sister and I were almost running (calmly, yes, it’s possible)!<\/p>\n\n

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    \"Périgueux<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

    Day 2 – The city of Vesona and its museum: Vesuna, the Roman part<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

    On the second day, we recommend exploring the ancient city of Vesone<\/strong> and the new Gallo-Roman museum built around the Vestiges by Jean Nouvel (originally from Sarlat). <\/span><\/p>\n\n

    We recommend a short walk 20 minutes from the town center, with an interactive museum<\/strong> and two Gallo-Roman<\/strong> remains.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

    1. Explore the ancient city of Vesonius and its museum Vesuna<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    The Gallo-Roman<\/strong> remains include a tower and the remains of a Domus (villa) dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries, now restored as a handsome interactive museum<\/a> with full glass windows, completely open to the outside world. There are descriptive cards everywhere, as well as videos, and tablets showing the different eras of the site. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

    The volumes have been preserved, which will allow you to realize the volumes<\/strong> of the houses of the time. Underneath the rooms you can see the hypocaust heating system. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

    On your way out of the museum, take a look at the ruins of the Vesone tower. located in an adjoining park. you might even see a group of middle-school or high-school students during their athletics session! <\/span><\/p>\n\n

    3. Stroll through the garden of the arena and its 2nd century amphitheater<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    Stroll through this pretty garden to discover the remains of the amphitheatre, then head back to the center of P\u00e9rigueux for lunch. For the record, a few years ago, the area in front of the fountain was used as ahuge swimming pool<\/strong> for P\u00e9rigourdins! <\/span><\/p>\n\n

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    Itinerary on our map <\/h2>\n\n