Périgueux, Administrative capital in Dordogne, France
Périgueux is the capital of the Dordogne department in southwestern France, situated along the Isle River. The town combines Roman remains such as the Vesunna amphitheatre, medieval quarters with winding lanes, and the widely visible Saint-Front Cathedral with its five Byzantine domes.
The Celtic settlement of the Petrocorii was conquered by the Romans in the first century BCE and developed into the town of Vesunna, which gained baths, temples, and a forum. During the Middle Ages the Christian quarter grew around Saint-Front while Roman structures were gradually incorporated into new buildings.
The name Périgueux comes from the Gallic Petrocorii tribe, whose settlement became a Roman town still visible through preserved city walls today. Locals gather in cafés around Place Saint-Louis while visitors wander the narrow lanes of the old quarter, admiring the honey-colored stone façades.
The best starting point for a walk is the railway station, from which you can reach the old centre on foot in about 15 minutes. The town can be explored comfortably in one day, and sturdy shoes are helpful for the cobbled streets and hills.
The domes of the cathedral were completely rebuilt in the 19th century after a fire, with architect Paul Abadie using Venice as a model. Beneath Place Francheville lie the foundations of a Roman temple, discovered during construction work and now visible through glass panels in the pavement.
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