Hotels in Périgueux

Located on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route, Perigueux is a historically rich city in the Dordogne region of France. It is named after the Petrocorii people who inhabited the area prior to Roman conquest and is renowned for its ancient Gallo-Roman town and monumental Saint-Front Cathedral.

Things to do in Périgueux

In the heart of Perigueux is a magnificent cathedral modelled after St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Originally established in the 10th century as the Abbey of Saint-Front, it was designated as a Monument Historique in 1840. After marvelling at its five turreted domes, wander through the 12th-century cloister that combines Roman and Gothic architectural elements.

One of Perigueux’s most popular attractions is the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum, which protects the remains of an ancient domus (wealthy urban townhouse). It was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and exhibits artefacts discovered in the region. See a model of ancient Vesunna, including its forum, aqueduct and Roman amphitheatre, as well as a 1:50-scale model of the domus in the 2nd century AD.

Also not to miss is the Perigord Museum of Art and Archaeology, which is the oldest museum in Dordogne. Its collection includes prehistoric tools and fossils uncovered in the surrounding caves, as well as medieval artefacts and paintings by regional artists. In addition to its local exhibits, the museum displays artwork and everyday objects collected from as far afield as French Guiana and the Marquesas Islands.

Getting around Périgueux

Perigueux is around 1.5 hours’ drive from both Limoges and Bordeaux. Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport is just under two hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Trains connect to the Perigueux railway station and buses travel throughout the town.