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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Périgueux Cathedral
376 m
Tour de Vésone
605 m
Église Saint-Étienne-de-la-Cité
371 m
Eschif
470 m
Vesunna
631 m
Musée Vesunna
631 m
Périgueux amphitheatre
401 m
Centre hospitalier de Périgueux
1.4 km
Maison d'arrêt de Périgueux
556 m
Loge maçonnique de Périgueux
391 m
Château Barrière
550 m
Musée d'art et d'archéologie du Périgord
474 m
Tour Mataguerre
176 m
Citadelle gallo-romaine de Vésone
520 m
Pont des Barris
539 m
Palais de Justice de Périgueux
315 m
Maison des Consuls
506 m
Guinguette Barnabé
1.9 km
Église Saint-Martin de Périgueux
678 mPrefecture hotel of Dordogne
660 m
Church of St. Georges de Perige
1 km
Piscine Bertran-de-Born
606 m
Château de Borie-Petit
3.3 km
Couvent Sainte-Marthe
329 m
Hôtel de Fayolle
555 m
Pont Saint-Georges
586 mMaladrerie de Coulounieix-Chamiers
1.1 km
Le Palace
297 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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