Périgueux: Cathedral, Antiquity and Routes Along the Isle

You can get to know Périgueux through its architectural history, traces of antiquity, gardens, markets and routes along the Isle. If you’re looking for a hotel, it helps to first consider which of these aspects of the town you want to shape your stay. Saint-Front Cathedral and Vesunna offer a window into history, while the market and the Voie Verte provide different focal points.

Cathedral, antiquity and medieval traces

Saint-Front Cathedral was built between 1125 and 1150 and became the cathedral of Périgueux in 1669. Its Greek cross floor plan and five large domes give it a distinctive architectural form. Guided roof tours offer a close-up view of the architecture and vistas across the city. The availability of these tours may vary seasonally, so check in advance whether a tour is scheduled during your travel dates.

Another way to explore the city’s history is through the Roman era. Vesunna presents the Roman origins of Périgueux on the remains of the Gallo-Roman house Domus de Vésone. The Domus was inhabited from the 1st to the 3rd century AD. It included rooms heated by hypocausts, a kitchen, reception rooms and baths. Archaeological collections and models show the ancient city and the everyday life of the Petrocorii. At Vesunna, the remains of a home and the broader history of the place are thus brought together.

The Tour Mataguerre also points to the medieval city: it is the last surviving remnant of the fortifications and preserves details of military architecture. These include machicolations, loopholes and gun ports. At the Hôtel Gamenson, also known as Logis Saint-Front, the focus is instead on a protected townhouse dating from the 15th or early 16th century. Its polygonal stair tower and a Renaissance fountain are among its surviving architectural features.

Gardens with different historical connections

The Jardin des Arènes is a public garden surrounding the remains of an amphitheatre dating from the 1st century AD, which was later turned into a medieval fortress. Ancient and medieval uses come together here in a compact historic setting. The Parc de Vésone is laid out around the ancient Tower of Vésone, giving it a different focus: a single structure that defines the garden.

The Parc Gamenson also tells its own more recent history. The city of Périgueux acquired it in 1912 and developed it as an open-air theatre; in 1913, President of the Republic Raymond Poincaré inaugurated the park. Numerous steles and statues there honour the troubadours Bertran de Born and Girault de Borneil, as well as writers from the Dordogne département. So, when you explore the gardens, you encounter not only ancient remains but also the memory of regional literature and culture.

Market and discoveries around the city

The Périgueux market takes place in the historic centre and brings together more than 100 local producers. Products on offer include strawberries, truffles and caviar, giving the market a distinctive connection to the region’s produce. Market arrangements may vary, so check the current dates and details before your visit.

One playful way to explore the ancient city is the Terra Aventura treasure hunt at Vesunna. Clues and riddles lead you on a walk through the ancient city to a treasure; the app’s content may change over time. The Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie du Périgord also organises conferences, discovery workshops and treasure hunts for different audiences. The individual activities may vary.

On foot, by bike or by scooter

The Voie Verte runs along both banks of the Isle in Périgueux and can be explored on foot, by bike or by scooter. Information panels along the route tell you about historic, natural and heritage sites. The Voie Verte has rest areas and play facilities for families; individual offerings may change. If these are important for your plans, check the latest information in advance.

This makes it different from a stay focused primarily on architectural and urban history: on the Voie Verte, the focus is on moving along the Isle and the places along the route. The different ways of getting around and the information panels help you choose the route according to your own interests.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Périgueux can be reached via the A89 motorway. Gare de Périgueux is an SNCF railway station at 11 Rue Denis Papin. Services and opening details may change, so check the latest information about your train connection before departure. This gives you a clear idea of what you’re most interested in during your stay as you start looking for hotels in Périgueux.

Discover more destinations: Mouzens, Plaisance, Gaugeac, Champniers-Et-Reilhac, Montpon-Ménestérol, Montagnac-La-Crempse, Saint-Pancrace, Saint-Vivien

Return to the regional travel overview: Dordogne.