The glorious Saint-Front cathedral sits at the heart of Périgueux. The town has strong roots in Roman times, which you can see in the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and a Roman villa, as well as evidence of medieval and renaissance architecture.

The departmental capital of the Dordogne is Périgueux, in the Périgord Vert ( Green Perigord). You will enjoy regional specialities such as duck confit (or rillettes), foie gras and truffles. The Dordogne is also known for its’ rich gastronomy. The area was one of the focal points of the Hundred Years’ War, with a large number of châteaux and bastide towns and villages along the Dordogne River. The Dordogne region of France is bursting with history. Quiet, peaceful countryside for hundreds of miles but within easy reach of international airports. It has the beauty of North Wales or the Lake District but with the climate of South-West France, complete with utterly stunning bastide (fortified) and medieval villages and towns. The enduring appeal of the Dordogne – particularly for Brits – is no surprise once you visit. British, American and Dutch have been buying properties in or near the Dordogne region decade. The department has been popular with holidaymakers and tourists, as well as house buyers for many years. It is part of the Aquitaine region (now Nouvelle Aquitaine, which includes Poitou-Charentes and Limousin). One of the best known areas of France, the Dordogne region is located in the South–West of France.

Dordogne france map regions