Bergerac

Bergerac is a very picturesque town situated on the bank of the Dordogne. The town itself is quite modern but has plenty of reminders of its trading history. The whole area is geared toward wine-making and there are numerous wine museums and vineyards to visit.

Bergerac is at the heart of a wine producing area. There are more than 120 wineries to visit in the region, making wine trailing a popular activity for tourists. Wine trailing maps can be found at the local tourist offices.

There are many museums in Bergerac depicting the area’s long history. One of the most interesting of these is the Museum of Tobacco, which recounts the social and cultural history of tobacco and of civilisations throughout the ages. The Wine and Shipping Museum is equally as impressive and informative. A stroll through the town itself is a fun way to spend a day, exploring the little quaint lanes, half-timbered houses and street shops.

Restaurants are in no short supply and there are a wide variety of dishes to choose from either local or international. Traditional cafés can be found throughout the town and are a great place to enjoy a lazy afternoon. For those who want to sample the local wine there are also numerous bars in town.

Bordeaux, just a short drive to the east of Bergerac, is even more famous for its fine wine. Bordeaux has many interesting attractions including museums, cathedrals, theatres and more wineries. The market town of Périgueux to the north is also rewarding. This town is surrounded by vegetable farms and vineyards, as well as being home to beautiful cathedrals.

Bergerac’s Roumanières Airport is only 5kms south of the city. It is an international airport with frequent connections to London, Paris and a few other European cities. Bergerac also has good rail links to other parts of the country.