Perigord Vert is the name given to the north and north-east part of the Dordogne department, extending from from La Roche-Chalais and Riberac in the west to Jumilhac-le-Grand in the east, and with Nontron in the centre of the region.
Explore Perigord Vert
France This Way review: the Périgord Vert region is picturesque, with a landscape of numerous woodlands and small scale agriculture, and several market towns, castles and villages (but is quite far from the more famous sites of the Dordogne department, if this is your first visit to the region)
Although the name is of quite recent invention, the Perigord Vert is named for the countryside and natural environment. The principal towns and villages here are:
Around Riberac
In the west of the Dordogne department, Riberac is a peaceful town that is best visited on a Friday when a popular market is held in the town. See Riberac travel guide
North of Riberac is the pleasant village of Lusignac.
Around Brantome
The small town of Brantome, in the south-centre of the Perigord Vert region, is the principal tourist attraction here: it is a lovely town on a meander in the river and overlooked by an imposing abbey. See Brantome travel guide and Brantome Abbey visitor guide
A few kilometres from Brantôme, the village of Bourdeilles is quite small but is very attractive: the centre of the village is dominated by a castle, and there are pretty houses along the edge of the river. See Bourdeilles travel guide and Chateau de Bourdeilles visitor guide
The Chateau de Puyguilhem at Villars is north-east of Brantome and is a very picturesque 16th century castle in the renaissance style. See Chateau de Puyguilhem visitor guide.
Around Nontron
Nontron is a pleasant if rather quiet town in the centre of the Perigord Vert area and within the Perigord-Limousin Natural Parc. See Nontron travel guide
North of Nontron are the attractive villages of Varaignes and Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert. To the west is Mareuil which was once one of the four baronies of Perigord along with Bourdeilles, Beynac and Biron.
Around Thiviers
The town of Thiviers is in the east of the Perigord Vert and is well known for the foie gras that is produced in several farms around the town. See Thiviers travel guide.
About eight kilometres west of Thiviers and perhaps the most beautiful village in the Perigord Vert, Saint-Jean-de-Cole is on the banks of the river with a small historic centre around a pretty church. See Saint-Jean-de-Cole travel guide.
The Chateau de Jumilhac is to the north-east of Thivers and is an imposing castle that was built as a fortified castle in the 13th century then modified and extended in the renaissance style in the 17th century. See Chateau de Jumilhac visitor guide.
Attractions nearby
Of course you will discover numerous other attractions elsewhere in the Dordogne department, especially in the Perigord Noir region which is the south-east of the department.
One important attraction a short distance outside the Perigord Vert region is the town of Perigueux, a pretty historic town with an imposing cathedral in the Perigord Blanc region. Another is the Chateau de Hautefort, outside the eastern edge of the Perigord Vert region.
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Map of Périgord Vert and places nearby
Visit near Périgord Vert with France This Way reviews
Bourdeilles
Close to Brantome, the Chateau de Bourdeilles is quite modest compared with some in the region but a visit is still recommended
Bourdeilles guideBrantome
In an idyllic setting on the Isle River and with an imposing abbey, Brantome is a very enjoyable town to explore
Brantome guide
Brantome Abbey
Brantome Abbey is an impressive abbey with troglodyte caves in the beautiful town of Brantome.
Brantome Abbey guide
Chateau de Bourdeilles
The Chateau de Bourdeilles consists of a medieval defensive castle and a Renaissance castle in the pretty village of Bourdeilles.
Chateau de Bourdeilles guideChateau de Jumilhac
The Chateau de Jumilhac is in the northern Dordogn, within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park
Chateau de Jumilhac guide
Chateau de Puyguilhem
Extensive renovation work at the Chateau de Puyguilhem has brought a new lease of life to this Renaissance style castle
Chateau de Puyguilhem guide
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert is a charming village with a church and castle and a lovely riverside area.
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert guide
Mareuil-en-Perigord
The village of Mareuil in Mareuil-en-Perigord was one of the four baronies of the Perigord and its castle can be visited in the summer.
Mareuil-en-Perigord guideNontron
Nontron is a quiet town within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park to the north of the Dordogne
Nontron guideRiberac
Riberac, a quiet and traditional town, is well known for the large market held here each Friday
Riberac guideSaint-Jean-de-Cole
Saint-Jean-de-Cole is a small but very pretty village with a nice church and beautiful riverside setting
Saint-Jean-de-Cole guideThiviers
Thiviers is a very typical Dordogne market town, best known for the foie gras produced in the surrounding countryside
Thiviers guide
Varaignes
Varaignes is a pretty village with a castle at its centre. The castle is home to a museum of textiles and slipper making.
Varaignes guideThe French version of this page is at Périgord Vert (Francais)