Bergerac: Heritage, Routes and Nature

Bergerac brings together a range of travel interests: heritage in the historic district, its connection with the Dordogne, pilgrimage routes and nature at Lac de Pombonne. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. The city’s history is presented in a permanent exhibition and in a museum offering a worldwide perspective on the history of tobacco. There is also birdwatching, a trip on traditional Gabarres and a guided tour offered by appointment only.

Heritage and City History

The Dordonha-CIAP presents Bergerac’s relationship with the Dordogne in a permanent exhibition. It covers 300 m² and is located on the building’s first floor; its subject is the architecture and heritage of Bergerac. The themes range from seigneurial and municipal power to the port, bridges and inland navigation, as well as winegrowing, the river ecosystem and recreational activities on the river. This places political and municipal themes alongside the river’s uses and natural environment. If you would like to get to know Bergerac through its history and relationship with the Dordogne, this range of topics offers a specific starting point.

The Musée du Tabac is housed in the Maison Peyrarède, a 17th-century private mansion in the historic centre. Its collections tell the story of tobacco over 3,000 years and across every continent. Its historical and geographical scope therefore extends beyond the history of the city. The historic district is also home to numerous half-timbered houses. The Cloître des Récollets is located on the Quai Cyrano.

Nature and Routes

Lac de Pombonne lies within a 55-hectare public nature park. The area is suitable for walks and for discovering natural habitats. The lake has a natural-looking body of water and several observation points, where visitors can mainly watch birds. Alongside collections and architecture, habitats and birdwatching therefore offer distinct themes to choose from during your stay.

Bergerac is a stop on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. The Chemin Bergerac-Rocamadour starts at Notre-Dame de Bergerac church and takes seven to eight days to reach the Ouysse Valley in the direction of Rocamadour. The Véloroute Voie Verte V91 runs between Bergerac and Mauzac. This gives you different route options to consider when planning: the Chemin has a stated duration of several days, while the V91 is the route between Bergerac and Mauzac.

Trips and Tours

The Gabarres de Bergerac depart from Port Gabarrier for a 50-minute trip on traditional boats. Château Mounet Sully is a historic monument with architectural features from the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. A 45-minute guided tour is offered there by appointment only. The two experiences can be compared by duration: the Gabarres trip is scheduled for 50 minutes and the Château tour for 45 minutes; for the latter, an appointment is expressly required as a condition of the visit. When planning, you can therefore take both the duration and the different visit requirements into account.

For the broader travel overview: Dordogne.