Perigord is the name of one of the ancient provinces of France, found in the modern Dordogne region, and split into four areas named after different colours. Perigord Blanc, the “white” section, is found in the centre of the Dordogne, and is home to the region's main city, Perigueux. Famous for its outstanding natural beauty, as well as its prehistoric and historic attractions, Perigord Blanc has something to offer all visitors.
Perigueux has its roots in Roman times, and some of the original buildings can still be seen and visited today. Perhaps the best preserved are the town's amphitheatre, a private villa that was built around a garden courtyard and a temple dedicated to the goddess Vesunna. The town's cathedral, which was originally built in the 12th century and restored in the 1800s, has caused a lot of controversy over the decades. The style is thought to have either been copied from St Mark's Basilica in Venice or to be a tribute to Byzantine architecture, while many modern residents wholeheartedly disapprove of the changes made by a local architect in the 19th century. The church is one of the most important in this part of France and is also on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route.
While many visitors to the Perigord Blanc region will base themselves in Perigueux, where there are more amenities and a wider choice of tourist accommodations, there is no doubt that the Dordogne's main attraction is its natural beauty. Perigord Blanc is so named because of the chalk and limestone cliffs that tower above winding rivers, deep valleys and ancient forests. The largest of the woods, the Foret de la Double is to the south-west of Perigueux and is home to dozens of kilometres of walking and cycling trails, of varying lengths and difficulties. There are also several lakes within the forest, which are popular with locals and visitors in the summer months as natural outdoor swimming pools. There is also a small museum at the town of La Ferme du Parcot about human and animal life in the forest over the centuries.
Outside of Perigueux there are several small market towns, all with their own local specialities. Sorges is famous for its truffles and attracts thousands of visitors to its annual truffle market held at the end of January. There is even a museum in the town, explaining how truffles are found, their importance in fine cuisine and how this tiny delicacy has made Sorges famous throughout France. Vergt is another of these small market towns with a speciality – on this occasion, strawberries. Home to a large market where most of the strawberries grown in the Dordogne are sold to wholesalers and shop keepers, tourists are also welcome to pick up a bag of their own. The town even celebrates its fruity heritage with a strawberry festival each May.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Perigord Blanc? Then below is a selection of gites in Perigord Blanc and villas in Perigord Blanc that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
