Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Do you have questions about Périgord?
We have listed the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
If you still cannot find your answer, do not hesitate to contact us directly by email. at the address lesormeaux@alexdewitt.com

How to visit Périgord?

There are many ways to visit Périgord. It all depends on the desire, the time budget. Périgord is a large department, to cross it from north to south it takes at least 2 hours.

Obviously the most common is the car. It allows you to stop where you want, to go from bed and breakfast to bed and breakfast, to unearth architectural, culinary and historical treasures.

We can also decide to radiate from a point. Rent a beautiful house and alternate visits and time off to relax. And even live like a Périgord to the rhythm of the farmers' markets, the seasons.

As an adventurer, you will cross the country on your bike or on horseback, or even on foot. There are GRs everywhere. Armed with a good map, you will cross the Périgord through forests of oaks and chestnuts, on stone paths, will cross fields.

Finally, why not take off for a bit: hot air balloons, small planes... another mode of discovery that will hold many surprises.

How to get to Périgord?

By train to Périgueux, Bergerac, Sarlat and all the small stations in between. From the Chartreuse des Ormeaux the nearest train station is Trémolat, lost in the middle of nowhere, it's a delight in itself.

By car, count 500 km from Paris, 150 km from Bordeaux, 30 km from Périgueux and Bergerac, 350 km from Toulouse.

By plane to Bergerac or Brive airport. Bergerac hosts many flights from England.

Where to visit in Périgord?

Depending on the time you spend there, there are musts in Périgord:

See a cave, a medieval castle and a pretty bastide town. Tourist attractions abound. The golden crescent of historic Perigord is around Sarlat. Sarlat and a marvel, Domme, La roque Gageac, Beynac, the ocher stone, the very old houses, the maze of streets are charming. The Château de Beynac perched on its promontory dominating the valley, the Château de Castelneau opposite with its course of medieval weapons, the Château des Milandes by Joséphine Baker, the gardens of Marqueyssac. One day will not be enough. Further east, Les Eyzies for those who love the history of our origins with Cro-Magnon man and the Museum of Prehistory. Next to the Château de Commarque, a unique place that shows the traces of civilization from the caveman to the Renaissance. Further west Bergerac and its vineyards welcome lovers of the terroir, the vine and wine. North of Brantôme, Bourdeilles are jewels of the Renaissance.

In short, from North to South, from East to West there are always finds

Where to stay in Périgord?

There are many choices in terms of accommodation in Périgord. Over the past twenty years, the supply of guest houses and houses for rent has become very important for all prices and all ranges. You dream of sleeping in a castle, in a beautiful mansion or in a tent. Everything is possible. In Trémolat near the Chartreuse des Ormeaux, the relay and Château du Vieux Logis is a haven of peace in its own juice. The Château de la Bourlie is a jewel transformed into contemporary jewelry for large groups, weddings. the Bois de Selve or the Maison Bel Estiu are houses renovated with great care and love. Rental for a weekend, a week or more, charming hotels, bed and breakfasts. The offer is not lacking.

What is the difference between Black, White, Green and Purple Périgord?

Historically there were 3 colors for Périgord: Black, Green and White. Black for this dark and mysterious color of the very dark holm oaks around Sarlat, sometimes also for the black truffle. This region with dark ocher stones is rich in 1000 remains. Le Blanc in the center around Périgueux for the color of its limestone plateaus. The green in the North from the Nontronais to the Ribéracois for its luxuriant vegetation, its numerous waterways (the Dronne, the Auvézère, the Isle). For the past 30 years, the tourist designation has been added: Périgord Pourpre, which covers the Bergerac region and the bastides on the edge of the Lot et Garonne. This color is linked to the vineyard widely developed in this area with Pécharmant, Bergerac and other appellations.

What is the Périgord Noir?

The Périgord Noir bears this designation for the dark and mysterious color of the very dark holm oaks around Sarlat. This region with dark ocher stones is rich in 1001 remains. There are large walnut plantations, truffle fields, holm oak forests, totally preserved ocher-colored stone villages such as Domme, Beynac or La Roque Gageac.

Why choose Périgord Noir?

We chose the Périgord Noir because it is the land of ancient and more recent history. From prehistory with Les Eyzies, Lascaux, to the Middle Ages with Sarlat and the Vézère valley, Domme; from the Renaissance to the present day. There is no shortage of treasures in the Périgord Noir, vestiges of the imaginary crusades, caves, legends, myths. The charm remains intact.

What to do in Périgord Noir?

Stroll through the streets of Sarlat as the starting point for a beautiful day. Go up to Domme to admire the view and walk through the small streets. From there go up to Beynac the majestic castle for a visit in time. Canoe down the river from Beynac to Siorac or from Vitrac to Beynac. Fly over this magnificent valley in a hot air balloon. Trainer at the St Cyprien market on Sunday morning, or at Sarlat on Saturday. Go up towards Montignac on small winding roads. Stop at the Château de Commarque and let yourself be surprised by this unusual site forgotten in the middle of the woods. Finally visit Lascaux, the prehistoric cave with drawings of mammoths opened in a 4th identical site in order to preserve the 1st cave.

What is the Périgord Blanc?

This central part of the Dordogne corresponds to the limestone cliffsof the region of Saint-Astier and the stones of Causse Perigord. It is also made up of vast grasslands, criss-crossed by rivers Auvézère and Isle. From Hautefort to Montpon via Périgueux, Saint-Astier and Mussidan, the Périgord Blanc will seduce you with its history, its greenery, its castles.

Why choose Périgord Blanc?

We choose the white Périgord because it is central, between the north and the south of this large department that is the Dordogne. We choose the white Périgord because there is the capital of Périgord: Périgueux. But also forests, hikes, inspiring waterways.

What is the Périgord Blanc?

This central part of the Dordogne corresponds to the limestone cliffsof the region of Saint-Astier and the stones of Causse Perigord. It is also made up of vast grasslands, criss-crossed by rivers Auvézère and Isle. From Hautefort to Montpon via Périgueux, Saint-Astier and Mussidan, the Périgord Blanc will seduce you with its history, its greenery, its castles.

What is the Périgord Vert?

Jules Verne was the first to qualify this territory in the north of the Dordogne as “Green Périgord” at the end of the 19th century. It now offers the possibility of hiking, fishing and swimming in complete safety. It encompasses a wide crescent in the north of the department with Brantôme, Montpon-Ménestrol, the forest of Double

Why choose green Périgord?

Choose the Green Perigord, it is to dive into the green part of the Dordogne outside the major tourist sites and therefore from the world. The many streams crossing vegetation and villages, will allow you to recharge your batteries in this country of contrasts, between stones and forest.

What to do in Périgord Vert?

In Périgord Vert, as in the rest of Périgord, you can discover unmissable vestiges of history:

Brantome, is nicknamed the “Venice of Périgord”. You will find the oldest bell tower in France there. The medieval village of Saint-Jean-de-Cole one of the "most beautiful villages in France": its castle, its church and its old bridge await you. To Excideuil, discover the mansions dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Linger in front of the front of the hospital. The building will charm you with its 12th century style.

the Green Perigord is also a territory where know-how is preserved. In Haut Périgord, let yourself be tempted by the cutting edge of Nontron's knife, the oldest in France still made by hand.

 

What is the Périgord Pourpre?

The appellation Purple Perigord is a recent tourist denomination. With Bergerac as its epicenter, it calls on the color of the vineyard: “purple like the nectar flowing from the Bergerac vineyards”.

Why choose Périgord Pourpre?

We choose the Périgord Pourpre for the love of the vines, of a terroir steeped in history and conviviality.

What to do in Périgord Pourpre?

It is, in the South-West of the department, the Pays du Grand Bergeracois, Montaigne and Gabarres. The region follows the lower stretch of the Dordogne river.

With the city of Bergerac as its capital, the Périgord Pourpre is particularly known for its bastide towns and medieval villages. But it is above all a wine region, the second largest vineyard in Aquitaine. We set off to discover the vineyards, we visit the bastides further south: Beaumont, Montpazier. We taste these hilly and green landscapes with this pretty ocher stone, we discover the history of the 100 years war in the bastides, we discover the culinary traditions: foie-gras, duck, truffle.

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