Things To Do In Bergerac

Bergerac is situated on the banks of the Dordogne. The whole area is well known for its wine production. It is a facinating town which is steeped in history, there are even 2 statues of Cyrano de Bergerac in the town even though he had no connection with it!  It will prove well worthwhile that you hired your car at the airport as this a lovely place to drive around and about in.

Child Friendly Bergerac

There are lots of things for children to do in the Dordogne, from prehistoric parks to paper making. Particular tourist attractions for children  include the Bergerac Aquapark.  take a drive on the road from Bergerac to Bordeaux.  It’s on the outskirts of Bergerac.  It has 4 swimming pools, water chutes and lots more to keep the younger generation happy.  Swimming and paddling in the Dordogne is great for the children.  Limeuil is a good spot.  Supervised river swimming is available at Le Buisson de Cadouin (Pont de Vicq).  You can picnic on the banks of the Dordogne, perhaps in a place good for paddling and swimming.

Canoeing on the Dordogne River is another sporting activity here and with having your hire car there will be no problem finding a place to hire canoes from.   Take a slowl drift past Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and the other villages and towns along the river, seeingpartsof the river that can not be seen any other way. Perfectly suitable for children  who are old enough and the canoes only cost a few euros to hire.

The canoe hire companies  along the Dordognesupply you with life-jackets and a big plastic container to keep your food and camera dry.  You will be driven upstream in a minibus then you canoe back, or you canoe downstream from the starting place and the minibus is waiting to bring you back. Whichever you decide to do, you only ever canoe with the flow of the river!  Whole or half days are available.

We found a couple of parks in Bergerac one was a short drive from the town centre but was worth the time just to sit by the pond and listen to the frogs, they where amazing, I have never realised the were such noisy little creatures before.  Sometimes after driving for a while you might really enjoy a good walk along the banks of the river.  There  are many canoes on the water as there is a canoe club in Bergerac  If you head downstream away from the bridge you eventually come to a weirr, used for power  This was a great and very cheap afternoons entertainment. It also helps to burn off the callories from all the delicious food here!

Aquarium du Perigord Noir

Both funl and educational, this aquarium has 3 million litres of water where you can watch several thousands of fish swimmimg around.   There are more than 30 pools and you make your way through 5 covered visiting areas. Outside there is a shop and a bar “Croc – o – Grill” , mini golf, a picnic area. toilets etc.  A truly great family day out.

Boat Trips

When you are in Bergerac you just have to take a trip on the river.  The trips usually last about an hour and don’t worry if you don’t speak French you’ll be given a book in English to translate what the skipper is saying! Whilst on the trip you pass a bird sanctuary area where many birds nest, we saw quite a few kites soaring over head.  There are also woodpeckers, kingfishers and lots of other birds nesting there, great if you are a twitcher. A lovely way to spend a restful, lazy afternoon.

Fantastic Buildings

The buildings are  unbelievable and lots of them look like they may tumble down before your very eyes!!  But they are beautiful in there own way. There are many narrow cobbled streets so keep your wits about you or you might get lost!!

L’eglise Saint Jacques

Of Roman origin, the Saint Jacques church was once a resting place for pilgrims following the Santiago de Compostelle route. The church was partly destroyed during the religious Wars.   Louis XIV was responsible for its reconstruction. Only the clock tower above the balcony is original, but it is still a lovely building.It’s situated on the Place Pelissiere and sitting  at one of the patios is a terrific way to enjoy the best view of the church.

L’église Notre Dame,

The 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral is located  on the northern outskirts of the pedestrian old town of Bergerac. The clock tower is 80 metres high  making it an excellentlandmark throughout the town. The inside isn’t really special but ithe towering building does create a wonderful image against a clear sky.

La Place de la Mirpe in Bergerac

Bergerac has more than it’s share of attractive, pedestrianized squares. La place de la Mirpe is yet another ~ this one home to a statue of Rostand’s character Cyrano de Bergerac (no real connection to the town).  The square is surrounded by picturesque half-timbered houses.

Tobacco Museum

This may not appeal to everyone and does sound really boring, but it wasn’t , in fact it is really quite interesting. Perfect if the weather is not so good as you can spend quite a long time there, it covers three floors. Many artifacts, even some cigarette boxes that I remember from when I was younger!!!!  I think even non-smokers can enjoy a visit to the Tobacco Museum.

Shopping in Bergerac

While Bergerac has lots of little speciality shops where locals and tourists can find designer fashions, china, glassware, jewellery and perfumes, the main thing is its food and wines.  On most days of the week, has markets that are not so much a place to make purchases of the freshest of food or antiques but a social event to catch up with friends. The food markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays to about midday in the Notre-Dame church and Sainte-Catherine area, and the covered market close-by. At the Place de la Madeleine there’s a farmers’ market style event on Fridays up to noon  On  an organic food market at the Place Doublet. Fresh fruit and vegetables along with cheeses, truffles and meats, vinaigrettes, herbs and, of course, local wine can all be purchased. There are also summer markets, candlelit evening markets and flea markets. The Place Gambetta hosts a general market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  In the Pays de Bergerac,  the markets are full  life . There’s a great friendly atmosphere and everyone can find something they like.  They have it all here,  so  fill up the hire car with delicious stuff and have a picnic.   There are markets on so many days so you have plenty of opportunity to shop.  We heard there’s even a truffle market in Bergerac!!  There are countless items on sale apart from the food side so have a good old browse your car is waiting to be loaded!!!!!

Arts Terres is a fantastic little shop owned and run by two potters ~ Caroline Vernet and Luis Jeronimo.   One part of the shop is devoted to their works  some for sale and some for not. The other part does workshops for adults and children.  Different types of earthenware and stoneware are available in the form of tableware, ornaments etc.  I found  two lovely little blue-glazed bowls.One for a friend, the other a keepsake for myself.   Most of the pieces were one offs. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary you would do well shopping at this shop.of prices .

If you’re interested in foie gras, there are a few specialty shops around Bergerac’s vielle ville where you treat yourself or someone back home perhaps?

The wonderful Bergerac wines are also well-renowned ~ particularly the sweet white Monbazillac. The best place to start with wines is at the Maison des Vins.

La Maison des Vins

Situated in the heart of the old city, ‘la Maison des Vins’ (the House of Wine)is in a splendid building   In 1954 it was taken over by the Conseil Interprofessional des Vins de la Région de Bergerac (CIVRB), This place has become an important place for receiving visitors, where you can make plans for a visit to the vineyards.  You can learn the history of the  vines on a mural fresco, or discover how complex the production of wine is from a film shown in the vault. It is a magic place where you can begin to  understand the mysteries of wine tasting as you to go to the wine bar and sample thewines processed by the vine growers from along the ‘Route des Vins!  No driving today!!

Boule

We spent a couple of hours sat watching the local men in the park playing their national game, very much the same as the English game of Bowls but slightly different, both played with extreme earnest.  Look at the base of the trees if you are watching Boule and see how worn away the tree trunks are from being hit constantly with the boules!

Eating Out

L’Imparfait – The ambience was perfect and so was the wonderful French food.  I would go back anytime I had the chance!!!

Blanche Hermione – We just stumbled upon the Blanche Hermione while wandering through the centre of the old town of Bergerac.. It is superb,  a cosy, intimate atmosphere, very welcoming and attentive and terrific food at decent prices.  We had salads and a Middle Eastern plate with humous, tzatziki and pittas. We shared a sweet Monbazillac wine. . .everything was delicious. It was pretty inexpensive and nice light food a change from the cream-heavy dishes that are served elsewhere.

La Mama – Great Pizzas but also Lasagne, Tagliatelle, Stuffed Eggplant and not forgetting the Tiramisu and Panna Cotta.  They even do half portions for kids.

La Cepes Enchante – Dine Outdoors in the shade of a 200 year old tree!  Wonderful salads here but they have steaks, salmon and duck to savour.  Excellent pastries too.

Au Fil de L’ Eau – This restaurant sits on the banks of the Dordogne.  As you would expect this is the palce to come to enjoy fabulous fish dishes.  A specialties are eel stew,  lobster and tournedos of duck with figs.

Bars & Nightlife

The bars in Bergerac vary from cosy, atmospheric little places with memorabilia of its wine-making history to the ultra modern styles that are up and coming. All tend to be lively. Bergerac does have a couple of nightclubs for those seeking a hectic nightlife, and one cinema, the Cinema le Cyrano, but most of its evening entertainment focuses around its restaurants.

Bar Club – A private drinking bar with evening cabaret entertainment and karaoke events.

Michael’s – A lively bar that is close to all the attractions and therefore a great place to refresh during a walk of the city

Bar Tabac Le Bistro –  A relaxing bar that serves light snacks where the locals meet to have a gossip.

So whatever you come to Bergerac to find, I’m sure your hire car will be groaning with your finds in Bergerac.

Bergerac is situated on the banks of the Dordogne. The whole area is well known for its wine production. It is a facinating town which is steeped in history, there are even 2 statues of Cyrano de Bergerac in the town even though he had no connection with it!  It will prove well worthwhile that you hired your car at the airport as this a lovely place to drive around and about in.

There are lots of things for children to do in the Dordogne, from prehistoric parks to paper making. Particular tourist attractions for children  include the Bergerac Aquapark.  take a drive on the road from Bergerac to Bordeaux.  It’s on the outskirts of Bergerac.  It has 4 swimming pools, water chutes and lots more to keep the younger generation happy.  Swimming and paddling in the Dordogne is great for the children.  Limeuil is a good spot.  Supervised river swimming is available at Le Buisson de Cadouin (Pont de Vicq).  You can picnic on the banks of the Dordogne, perhaps in a place good for paddling and swimming.

Both funl and educational, this aquarium has 3 million litres of water where you can watch several thousands of fish swimmimg around.   There are more than 30 pools and you make your way through 5 covered visiting areas. Outside there is a shop and a bar “Croc – o – Grill” , mini golf, a picnic area. toilets etc.  A truly great family day out.

The buildings are  unbelievable and lots of them look like they may tumble down before your very eyes!!  But they are beautiful in there own way. There are many narrow cobbled streets so keep your wits about you or you might get lost!!

L’eglise Saint Jacques

Of Roman origin, the Saint Jacques church was once a resting place for pilgrims following the Santiago de Compostelle route. The church was partly destroyed during the religious Wars.   Louis XIV was responsible for its reconstruction. Only the clock tower above the balcony is original, but it is still a lovely building.It’s situated on the Place Pelissiere and sitting  at one of the patios is a terrific way to enjoy the best view of the church.

The 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral is located  on the northern outskirts of the pedestrian old town of Bergerac. The clock tower is 80 metres high  making it an excellentlandmark throughout the town. The inside isn’t really special but ithe towering building does create a wonderful image against a clear sky.

Bergerac has more than it’s share of attractive, pedestrianized squares. La place de la Mirpe is yet another ~ this one home to a statue of Rostand’s character Cyrano de Bergerac (no real connection to the town).  The square is surrounded by picturesque half-timbered houses.

This may not appeal to everyone and does sound really boring, but it wasn’t , in fact it is really quite interesting. Perfect if the weather is not so good as you can spend quite a long time there, it covers three floors. Many artifacts, even some cigarette boxes that I remember from when I was younger!!!!  I think even non-smokers can enjoy a visit to the Tobacco Museum.

While Bergerac has lots of little speciality shops where locals and tourists can find designer fashions, china, glassware, jewellery and perfumes, the main thing is its food and wines.  On most days of the week, has markets that are not so much a place to make purchases of the freshest of food or antiques but a social event to catch up with friends. The food markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays to about midday in the Notre-Dame church and Sainte-Catherine area, and the covered market close-by. At the Place de la Madeleine there’s a farmers’ market style event on Fridays up to noon  On  an organic food market at the Place Doublet.

The wonderful Bergerac wines are also well-renowned ~ particularly the sweet white Monbazillac. The best place to start with wines is at the Maison des Vins. La Maison des Vins – Situated in the heart of the old city, ‘la Maison des Vins’ (the House of Wine)is in a splendid building   In 1954 it was taken over by the Conseil Interprofessional des Vins de la Région de Bergerac (CIVRB), This place has become an important place for receiving visitors, where you can make plans for a visit to the vineyards.  You can learn the history of the  vines on a mural fresco, or discover how complex the production of wine is from a film shown in the vault. It is a magic place where you can begin to  understand the mysteries of wine tasting as you to go to the wine bar and sample thewines processed by the vine growers from along the ‘Route des Vins!  No driving today!!

The bars in Bergerac vary from cosy, atmospheric little places with memorabilia of its wine-making history to the ultra modern styles that are up and coming. All tend to be lively. Bergerac does have a couple of nightclubs for those seeking a hectic nightlife, and one cinema, the Cinema le Cyrano, but most of its evening entertainment focuses around its restaurants.

Things To Do In Bergerac