Discover The Périgord Villages In The South Of France
Paris, Lyon, the Côte d’Azur or Brittany may be the most visited and well-known areas of France, but this country has endless possibilities. On this occasion, we travel to the Périgord, in the south of France, one of the most charming regions that you will find in Gallic lands. Do you want to meet her?
The colors of Périgord in the south of France
Located in the southwest of the country, the Périgord province holds true treasures. To know them, it is necessary to differentiate between four areas. Each of them is named with a color: black, white, green and purple.
The black zone is the oldest of all. Its name is due to the color of the truffle and the darkness that its deep forests harbor.
As for the white zone, it is located around Périgueux. Its name also has a reason for being, in this case, it is about the prominence of lime in its soil.
The green area of the Périgord corresponds to the northernmost part. As you can imagine, it is characterized by oak forests and an abundance of green meadows, since it is a very humid area.
Finally, there is the purple zone, very young. It was created only a few decades ago thanks to the expansion of tourism in the Périgord. Why is it called by that name? Because of the color of the wine that is made here.
The treasures of the Périgord in the south of France
Now that we know a little better this beautiful French region, we are going to make some stops in its most charming corners. A small sample of what you will find in it.
Visit to the black Périgord
On your route through the Périgord you cannot miss a visit to Beynac-et-Cazenac, a fairytale village. The castle, the houses full of flowers and the summer concerts are the main attractions of this town, located in the Dordogne valley.
And next to a cliff you discover La Roque-Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France. The small streets lead visitors to the cliff, a magnificent setting from which to see the river. It also highlights its exotic garden, with palm trees, cacti or bamboo.
The green Périgord
One of the most beautiful villages in the entire Périgord is Brantôme. It is usually compared with Venice because of the prominence that water here. Here you can rest in the gardens of the Monks and admire monuments such as the abbey, which is more than twelve centuries old.
In Brantôme we can also visit the old mill or some fabulous caves behind the abbey. Everything, without forgetting the abundant bridges and the old buildings that still survive despite the passage of time.
A short distance from this town we find another beautiful area of Périgord. Bourdeilles is a setting that offers a wonderful castle, as well as other Renaissance monuments and buildings.
Périgueux, ancient city
The white Périgord is located in the Périgueux area of the city, very attractive for tourism. The small streets, with their facades full of details, are perfect for strolling and seeing the remains of the wall. And you have to look for the Mataguerre tower, from which you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view.
Without a doubt, what stands out the most in this small city is its cathedral. A temple whose design was inspired by the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. It is part of the French route of the Camino de Santiago and for two decades it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Purple Périgord, with wine as the protagonist
It is the most modern part of the Périgord and is named for the rosy color of its wines. This wine is of great quality, especially that of Bergerac, one of the towns that is worth visiting. Related to the character of Cyrano, here you have to visit the Pelissière square and the Recoletas cloister.
And in Le Buisson de Cadouin you will find the Maxange cave, a jewel for lovers of underground heritage. A highly recommended leisure option within the Périgord, in the south of France.
