Explore Périgueux from a luxury holiday cottage in the Dordogne

From the Domaine du Trouiller, Périgueux is a great day-out destination for exploring the heritage of the Périgord: the historic centre, Saint-Front Cathedral, Gallo-Roman ruins, markets and local specialities make it easy to plan a day’s visit.

During a stay at the Domaine du Trouiller, exploring Périgueux is a great way to round off a few peaceful days with a cultural excursion in the heart of the Dordogne. Our location in Val de Louyre and Caudeau makes it easy to visit several of the department’s major attractions, whilst allowing you to return to the tranquillity of the countryside at the end of the day. For explore Périgueux whilst staying in a holiday cottage in the Dordogne, we recommend setting aside a full day so that you can take your time exploring the old town, discovering its monuments and soaking up the town’s atmosphere.

Explore the historic centre of Périgueux

Périgueux is the historic capital of the Périgord and boasts a particularly rich architectural heritage. The town has been awarded the City of Art and History since 1987, a status which highlights the importance of its heritage and the measures taken to preserve it and raise awareness of it. The City of Périgueux also regularly organises walking tours and guided visits to help visitors better understand how the city has evolved over the centuries.

A stroll through the town centre offers a chance to admire historic façades, mansions, small squares and shopping streets. We particularly enjoy this way of exploring Périgueux, as it allows us to easily alternate between exploring the town’s heritage, taking a break for a bite to eat and discovering local shops, without following an overly packed itinerary.

Visit Saint-Front Cathedral, the symbol of Périgueux

La Saint-Front Cathedral It is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, with its domes and imposing silhouette. It is one of the monuments listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Its location in the heart of Périgueux makes it a natural stop-off point whilst strolling through the town centre.

We recommend that you take the time to have a look around before continuing your visit to the old streets. The area around the cathedral also provides easy access to various neighbourhoods in the historic centre. To prepare for this part of your journey, you can consult the information on the Camino de Santiago routes at the UNESCO’s official website.

Take a journey back to the Gallo-Roman era with Vesunna

Périgueux is not just about its medieval heritage. The town also preserves significant remains of the ancient Gallo-Roman city of Vesunna. The Vesunna Museum, built around the remains of a vast ancient residence, offers a better understanding of this period in local history. Its contemporary architecture protects the archaeological structures whilst providing ample space for visitors to view them.

This tour is particularly suitable for families and history enthusiasts who wish to explore the Dordogne in greater depth. The museum features archaeological collections and offers an insight into daily life in the ancient city. Practical information and details of the exhibitions can be found directly on the Vesunna’s official website.

Enjoy the markets and cuisine of the Périgord

A visit to Périgueux also offers the chance to discover another side to the region: that of its markets and its cuisine. Depending on the day of your visit, there are several markets held in the town centre where you can find products associated with the Périgord region as well as local seasonal produce.

This discovery is very much in keeping with the spirit of our estate. We love encouraging our guests to take the time to discover the producers, markets and traditional skills that contribute to the Dordogne’s identity. You can also explore this further by visiting our page dedicated to artisan products from the Périgord.

Plan a day out in Périgueux during your stay

To make the most of Périgueux without having to travel too far, we recommend starting your visit with the historic centre and Saint-Front Cathedral. You can then have lunch in the centre before spending the afternoon at Vesunna or taking a stroll along the River Isle. This itinerary allows you to discover several aspects of the town in a single day whilst maintaining a leisurely pace.

Before you leave, the Grand Périgueux Tourist Office website allows you to check opening times, organised tours and events scheduled during your stay. The City of Périgueux also publishes its cultural and heritage programme.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Domaine du Trouiller after your visit

After spending a day in Périgueux, we find ourselves in a very different setting at the Domaine du Trouiller. Our charming gîte in the Dordogne is situated in Val de Louyre et Caudeau, on the grounds of the Musée Napoléon de la Pommerie. This former stately home offers families and groups of friends the chance to stay in spacious, peaceful surroundings steeped in history.

This arrangement makes it easy to alternate between days spent exploring and time spent in the town itself. Périgueux can therefore be included as part of a holiday that also takes in the department’s villages, castles, caves and countryside. To help you plan further outings, we have put together a number of suggestions on our page dedicated to Things to do around our holiday cottage in the Dordogne.