Périgueux is a charming city rich in history and culture. It’s located in the heart of the Dordogne region in southwestern France,
It’s known for its stunning Cathédrale Saint-Front, a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique Byzantine architecture.
The city’s picturesque streets are lined with well-preserved Medieval and Renaissance buildings.
You can explore the bustling markets, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and visit the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum to learn about Périgueux’s ancient Roman past.
The city is divided into two parts — the modern Cité district (with Roman goodies) and the cobbled medieval district. It will definitely keep you busy for a day!
And the city’s name is pronounced pear-ee-go. (I had to ask.)
One Day In Périgueux Itinerary
Here’s an hour by hour itinerary with all the best things to do in 1 day in Périgueux.
9:00 AM: Market
Wednesday and Saturday mornings are market days in Périgueux! The city has a stellar market, so try to time your visit to coincide.
From Place du Coderc to Place de l’Ancien Hôtel de Ville, fill up your bags in the many streets of colorful stalls. In the winter, look for the revered black truffles.
If the market is not on, there’s a covered market to get some victuals, the Halles du Coderc.
Pro Tip: At this point, you should pick up a map of the city in the tourist office right on the square.
10:00 AM: Cathédrale Saint-Front
After your market visit, head to the city’s stunning Cathédrale Saint-Front, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Byzantine-style cathedral dates from the 12th century and was modeled after St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
It was remodeled by Paul Abadie in the 1800s. He also designed the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris’ Montmartre neighborhood.
Abadie added five domes and 17 small steeples.
The interior is vast and rather dark, lit primarily by large black and gold chandeliers.
A highlight is a magnificent 17th century Baroque altarpiece (shown above).
The cathedral also has stained glass, religious artifacts, and artworks including intricate carvings, statues, and altars.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Medieval Old Town
Périgueux’s medieval district is north and west of the cathedral and almost totally pedestrianised. It’s quite chic, and reminded me a bit of the city of Avignon in Provence.
From the cathedral, you can take a little walking tour. Take a gander at the wonderful Renaissance homes on Avenue Daumesnil. Then, head down Rue de Plantier.
This street is home to House of the Ladies of the Faith in Périgueux, a historic building that dates back to the 12th century.
Turn left at Rue de Notre-Dame. You will pass Rue de la Constitution. On this street, you’ll find the Freemason’s Hall and two ancient homes with half timbered wings.
Carry on down Rue de la Carte and you’ll find the city’s prettiest street — Rue de Limogeane.
The long, meandering street features a mix of medieval and Renaissance buildings, many of which have been carefully restored.
Maison Lapeyre at no. 1 and Maison Estignard at no. 5 are magnificent examples.
The street is home to a great mix of local shops, boutiques, and cafes.
Then, head to the Place de la Clautre and enjoy the charming half-timbered houses, boutiques, and local shops.
Right next door is the Hotel de Ville. in the square is a sweet little pastry shop, Maison Montaigne.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
After your stroll, settle in for a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. Try regional specialties like foie gras, duck confit, or truffle dishes.
I wanted to try Comptoir Du Tourney, but it was booked. So, if you fancy this popular spot, reserve in advance.
We ended up at Le Troquet, which was perfectly great. I had the grilled octopus.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Museums
There are several niche museums in the city — Truffle Museum, the Military Museum, the Archaeology Museum, and the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum.
Pick one based on your interests. The first three are in the medieval town and the Vesunna Museum is in the Cite district on the other side of town.
At the Truffle Museum, you’ll get the lowdown on how truffles grow and how to find them.
The Archaeology Museum has a prehistoric collection, including the world’s most complete Neanderthal skeleton.
The Military Museum displays wartime memorabilia and drawings from WWI.
The Vesunna museum is housed in a modern glass building, designed by the acclaimed architect Jean Nouvel.
You can explore the ruins of a Roman villa and gain insight into the daily life of the Gallo-Romans.
Right outside the museum is the Tour de Vesone. It was once part of an ancient sanctuary and the tower gives you an idea of the magnitude of its size.
The sanctuary was built over an existing district of the city at the beginning of the 2nd century.
The temple occupied a rectangle space measuring approximately 1,500 feet by 400 feet. The entrance to the west sit between two enormous rooms. The three other sides are lined with porticoes.
The circular temple was once surrounded by a colonnade and accessed via a podium and monumental staircase.
A statue of the goddess Vesunna would have held pride of place.
Chateau de Barriere
Nearby, in a small park on Rue Turenne, you can find the fetchingly romantic ruins of a medieval castle built on the Gallo-Roman wall of the Vésone Citadel — the Chateau de Barriere.
On the west side, you can easily spot larger stones with ancient origins (a Gallo-Roman wall and keep) at the base. Despite its decaying state, the entire structure is magnificent.
The castle was completed in the 1100s and updated over time. But it was mostly torn down by the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion in 1575.
Remarkably, late-medieval features like the mullioned windows, flamboyant Gothic portal, and a Renaissance stairway remain in great condition — despite being exposed to the elements for nearly half a millennium.
Just a few steps away is the hone of the Angouleme family, built around 1100.
It’s facade has the same high arches you see on Saint-Etienne Church.
3:30 PM Jardin des Arènes
To polish off your Roman-themed tour, take a break at the Jardin des Arènes.
It’s a beautiful park built around the ruins of a Roman amphitheater.
You can barely see the ruins. Look for the ancient arches covered with vegetation.
Afternoon Alternative: Brantome
If you’re not interested in the Roman goodies and prefer a quaint small down, you could instead head 17 miles north too spend part of your day in the quaint town of Brantome.
The charming town of Brantôme sits on an island, surrounded by a loop of the River Dronne. Often called the “Venice of the Dordogne,” it’s known for its picturesque setting.
The town’s buildings are centered around a 9th-century Benedictine abbey, founded by Charlemagne. The 11th century bell tower is one of the oldest in France.
Beneath the abbey is the Cave of the Last Judgment, featuring remarkable prehistoric paintings and a sculpture of the biblical event.
Brantôme is filled with ancient stone bridges and traditional water mills, some of which have been converted into restaurants and cafes.
With its river setting, Brantôme is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, or leisurely boat tours.
Dinner
End your day with a delightful dinner at one of Périgueux’s many stellar restaurants.
The star of the city’s dining scene is L’Essential. It’s a family run restaurant serving up French cuisine with fresh local ingredients.
For fine dining, you can also check our Hercule Poirot or Chez Fred.
Tips For One Day in Périgueux
How to Get To Périgueux
If you are flying in, the nearest airport is in the city of Bergerac, only 45 minutes away.
Périgueux has a train station. From there, it’s a 15-20 minute walk to the old town. Or you can hop in a taxi.
If you are driving, look for parking lots as you come into the city. I parked at the lot in Place Francheville, which is super convenient and not far from the first stop (the cathedral).
How To Get Around Périgueux
Périgueux is a small city. You can walk everywhere in the medieval town, and the Roman attractions are just a 10-15 minute walk from there.
There’s also a white tourist train that gads about.
Where To Stay In Périgueux
Mercure Périgueux Centre features modern rooms, central location, on-site bar, and parking. It’s close to major attractions like the Cathédrale Saint-Front.
Ibis Périgueux Centre is more budget-friendly, with a central location, restaurant, and bar. It’s deal for exploring the city on foot.
Château de Lalande in Annesse-et-Beaulieu is an elegant chateau hotel with a tranquil setting, comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant. It’s just 15 minutes from Périgueux.
Is Périgueux Worth Visiting?
I think the city is well worth visiting — for its market, the cathedral, the medieval city, and the Roman ruins.
However, your entry to the city will be somewhat off-putting. Some modern commercial zones are a bit of a blight on the setting. And there’s plenty of traffic too.
Better to know that in advance!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to do in Périgueux in one day. You may find these other southern France travel guides useful:
- 10 day itinerary for southern France
- 1 week Dordogne itinerary
- Hidden gems in Provence
- Hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley
- Historic landmarks in southern France
- Beautiful villages in the Dordogne
- Beautiful villages in Occitanie
- One day in Avignon itinerary
- One day in Sarlat-la-Caneda
- One day in Toulouse itinerary
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