4 most beautiful towns to see in Perigord (France)

One of the great attractions of the trip that you can consider taking through the territory of Perigord, in the department of the Dordognesouth of France, is the possibility of visiting some medieval towns.

With the name of Perigord was known an ancient French province, and its territory is now part of the departments of Dordogne y Lot-et-Garonne.

On the trip we recently took we focused on the sub-region of Black Perigord, which has as its main references the small city of Sarla-la-Caneda and the valley through which the Dordogne river.

Most beautiful towns to see in Black Pèrigord (Dordogne)

On this trip you will visit not only pretty towns, but you will also have the opportunity to visit some medieval castles and other very interesting corners.

The towns that I am going to indicate to you are very close to each other, so it is easy to visit them on a tour of this area that receives the aforementioned name of Black Perigord through the lush and dark forests that extend throughout the region.

Sarlat-la-Caneda in Pèrigord

Sarlat It is the heart of the aforementioned territory of Black Perigord, and I include it in this report pretty towns with medieval charm Although administratively it is a little city.

This is how they are considered in France all towns that exceed 10.000 inhabitants, as is the case of Sarlat, even if it's just for a little bit...

when you get to visit Sarlat and walk through its streets, you will have the feeling of finding yourself in a medieval village, with houses from that time with half-timbered facades.

Now, you will be surprised to see that in certain areas of the historic center these houses are combined with 17th century buildings in Renaissance styleAnd including 18th century buildings in classical style.

The explanation is a fire that this town suffered at the beginning of this last century, which destroyed a large part of the medieval buildings.

Sarlat It is a tourist place that receives many visitors during vacation times, which is easy to understand due to its attractiveness.

During your visit you must climb the tower of the old church of Santa Maria, which has been recently rehabilitated with the construction of a panoramic elevator that takes you to a gazebo which has become a prominent tourist attraction.

You will have to walk through its narrow streets and get lost in corners that contain great charm.

Undoubtedly, Sarlat It is one of the essential visits on a route not only because Perigord, but also by the Dordogne.

La Roque Gageac in Pèrigord

If we talk about a beautiful and picturesque town, without a doubt La Roque-Gageac It has all the characteristics, and a good example is that not long ago it was classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The appeal of La Roque-Gageac It is located in its surprising location at the foot of a rocky cliff falls on him Dordogne river.

The houses of this small town of about 400 inhabitants are aligned between both geographical landmarks, so the best way to see it is by sailing along the river.

Its origins date back to before Roman times, during the Middle Ages It was an impregnable enclave, and in Renacimiento It had a great commercial boom that led to the construction of numerous stately homes.

To see it from the river, you can sign up for a cruise on a traditional barge which emulates those that before the arrival of the railway were used for river transport.

This is an excursion in which from the river you can also see up to three castles that rise on hills in the valley, highlighting that of Castellnaud la Chapelle.

Beynac in Pèrigord

Located 10 kilometers from Sarlat, in the same valley of Dordogne river You can see another small and beautiful town that has a similar characteristic to that of La Roque Gageag.

Beynac It is located at the foot of a large cliff and on the banks of the river, so that its stone houses are crowded together on a narrow margin of land.

Although what should really lead you to visit Beynac is big castle from the 12th century that is located at the top of the cliff.

Completely renovated, from Beynac castle you have spectacular panoramic views of the Dordogne valley, known as the Valley of the Five Castles.

Terrason in Pèrigord

Other attractive Pèrigord village, which is well worth visiting is Terrason Lavilledieu.

It is located on the limits of this sub-region, 40 kilometers north of Sarlat, and there are two main arguments for the visit, on the one hand, walking through its small historic center, and on the other, its Imaginary Garden.

Although its origins date back to the prehistoric times, the rise of Terrason It was from the establishment of a monastery in the 6th century.

And a notable event in more recent times was the construction in 1830 of the Puente Nuevo that crosses the river.

El historic center of Terrason is very concentrated on the hill next to the Vezere river and around the Saint Sour church, Gothic style, which was part of the old abbey.

The corner of the center stands out there. Bouquier square, and the echoppes, name of the traditional style wooden facades that decorate the shops in the historic center.

As to Imaginary Garden, is a contemporary garden designed in 1996 by the American landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson and the English architect Ian Ritchie.

The garden extends over 6 hectares in a forest located on another hill, with views of the historic center of Terrason, and on your walk through it you will be able to see up to seven different landscape scenes.