Périgord Pourpre is the name give to the south-west part of the Dordogne, with Villefranche-de-Lonchat to the west, Bergerac in the centre and Beaumont-du-Perigord and Monpazier to the east
Explore Périgord Pourpre
France This Way review: the Perigord Pourpre region contains many small towns and villages with attractive historic centres - mostly in the east of the region
The Perigord Pourpre region takes its name from the grapes that are grown throughout the area, made famous by the wines of Bergerac and Monbazillac among others. As well as vineyards you will see small fields and areas of woodland throughout the area.
The principal towns and villages of interest in Perigord Pourpre include:
Bergerac
Bergerac is the most important town in Perigord Pourpre. In an attractive setting on the banks of the Dordogne river, Bergerac has a extensive historic centre with several charming buildings, a small port area where you can usually see traditional boats called gabarres, an area with modern shops and a good choice of restaurants.
On a hill a few kilometres south of Bergerac you can visit Monbazillac, a small village overlooking the vineyards of the region and dominated by the renaissance style Chateau de Monbazillac.
Around Beaumont-du-Perigord
The village of Beaumont-du-Périgord in the east of perigord Pourpre has retained its original layout that was established in the 13th century, and has a central square surrounded by historic houses as well as some medieval defensive walls to see.
As part of your visit here you will want to see the villages of Montferrand-du-Perigord and Saint-Avit-Senieur, both are small but attractive villages: in Saint-Avit-Senieur there is an imposing abbey and in Montferrand you can see a traditional market hall and an ancient church with frescoes.
Also close to here, the village of Cadouin is dominated by a very impressive abbey that has retained its original structure and cloisters, and the village of Molieres is another 13th century bastide with a charming village centre. Urval is a small village with an unusual communal bread oven.
North of Cadouin is the pretty village of Tremolat near to a deep loop in the Dordogne river. Also the village of Paunat with its abbey-church and the gardens of the Chartreuse de Colombier.
Around Eymet and Issigeac
South of Bergerac there are two villages that you will certainly want to visit: Eymet and Issigeac:
- Eymet is a traditional bastide town developed in the 13th century around an ancient castle, and
- Issigeac is a very picturesque village, beautiful any day and with one of the most popular markets in the region each Sunday.
Around Monpazier and Biron
In the south-east corner of Perigord Pourpre, Monpazier is one of the most impressive medieval villages in France that has retained its 13th century village centre and square almost completely unchanged
A few kilometres from Monpazier, Biron is a very small village in a lovely position overlooking the Dordogne countryside that is dominated by the very impressive Chateau de Biron.
Attractions in and near Perigord Pourpre
- The Chateau de Bridoire is a castle near Bergerac that has developed several games targetted at children: see Chateau de Bridoire
- The Chateau de Lanquais is another castle that combines medieval origins with renaissance additions: see Chateau de Lanquais
- The Jardins de Sardy is one of the prettiest gardens in the area but unfortunately rather distant from most of the attractions in perigord Pourpre: see Jardins de Sardy
- Towards the west of Perigord Pourpre at Montcaret you can visit the ruins and mosaics of a Roman villa: see Montcaret.
The north-east corner of the Lot-et-Garonne department is adjacent to Perigord Pourpre and also contains several interesting historic villages including Villereal and Monflanquin, that are both listed among the "most beautiful villages in France".
Pujols is another listed village about 25 kilometres further south et also in this part of Lot-et-Garonne, a short distance south of the Chateau de Biron you can see a pretty village with an imposing castle at Gavaudun.
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Map of Périgord Pourpre and places nearby
Visit near Périgord Pourpre with France This Way reviews
Beaumont-du-Perigord
The traditional bastide town of Beaumont-du-Perigord is an interesting contrast to the nearby village of Monpazier
Beaumont-du-Perigord guideBergerac
Bergerac is a substantial town on the banks of the river and with an extensive medieval old town. One of our favourite towns!
Bergerac guide
Biron
Biron is a picturesque village with an ancient church and an imposing castle, and far-reaching views
Biron guide
Cadouin
Cadouin is a small village best known for its medieval abbey, an important pilgrimage destination
Cadouin guide
Cadouin abbey cloisters
The cloister attached to the abbey at Cadouin were built in the 15th century and among the most charming in France
Cadouin abbey cloisters guide
Chartreuse du Colombier
The Chartreuse du Colombier is a charming traditional stone house with a pretty garden open to visitors.
Chartreuse du Colombier guide
Chateau de Biron
The Chateau de Biron is a perfect way to discover the history and countryside of the southern Dordogne
Chateau de Biron guide
Chateau de Bridoire
Visit the Chateau de Bridoire, a medieval chateau with lots of games for all the family.
Chateau de Bridoire guide
Chateau de Lanquais
The Chateau de Lanquais - sometimes called the Louvre of the Perigord - combines medieval and renaissance architecture
Chateau de Lanquais guideEymet
The bastide town of Eymet,south of Bergerac, has some lovely medieval houses and an attractive seting on the Dropt river
Eymet guide
Issigeac
The historic small town of Issigeac has many lovely old houses and the most famous Sunday market in the Dordogne
Issigeac guide
Les Jardins de Sardy
The Jardins de Sardy to the wet of Bergerac are one of our favourite gardens to visit in the region
Les Jardins de Sardy guide
Molieres
Molieres is small but perhaps the best example of an unspoiled bastide town in the region.
Molieres guide
Monbazillac
Monbazillac is home to the Chateau de Monbazillac, famous producer of sweet white wines
Monbazillac guideMonpazier
Monpazier is an exceptional 13th century bastide town, among the most beautiful villages in France.
Monpazier guide
Montcaret
At Montcaret you can visit the archaeological site of a Roman villa to see ancient mosaics
Montcaret guide
Montferrand-du-Perigord
The pretty little village of Montferrand-du-Perigord is in a particularly scenic area and has a traditional market hall
Montferrand-du-Perigord guide
Saint-Avit-Senieur
Saint-Avit-Senieur is dominated by the substantial abbey ruins in the centre of the village
Saint-Avit-Senieur guide
Tremolat
Trémolat is a very small but attractive village, close to the scenic highlight at the Cingle de Tremolat which has far-reaching views across the river
Tremolat guide
Urval
Urval is a pretty village with an ancient communal bread oven and fortified church.
Urval guideThe French version of this page is at Périgord Pourpre (Francais)