France Travel Planner by Tom Brosnahan & Jane Fisher   Périgord (Dordogne), France
The historic name of Périgord, land of castles, rivers, verdant countryside, and delicious high-calorie cuisine, is still commonly used to describe the region of the Dordogne river valley.

 
 

 

 

Dordogne = Périgord?

It can get confusing trying to keep the various régions of France straight, especially when some are known by more than one name.

What we commonly refer to as the Dordogne region is also referred to as Périgord, the historic name of the area—dating back centuries. Although the département has been known as the Dordogne for years, many people still use the term Périgord. So be aware that you might hear both.

Périgord/the Dordogne is/are also part of the région of France known as Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which also includes Bordeaux.

And to make things more complicated, the Périgord has been further divided into four "colorful" regions:

Périgord Map
Green, white, purple & black Périgord...

Périgord Noir

The Périgord Noir (Black Périgord) is where most places of touristic interest are, including Sarlat-la-Canéda, the prehistoric caves of Lascaux, the medieval town of Domme, and other towns on the Dordogne and Vézère Rivers. More...

Périgord Pourpre

The Périgord Pourpre (Purple Périgord), so named because of the abundant wine from the area, is centered on Bergerac-et-Cazenac. More...

Périgord Vert

The Périgord Vert, or Green Périgord, is the northwestern part of Périgord, known for its lush green fields and valleys and beautiful gardens.

Périgord Blanc

And the central Périgord Blanc, or White Périgord, is named for the abundance of white limestone in the area. Périgueux, the administrative center of the Dordogne département, is in the Périgord Blanc.

You'll also hear the term referred to in reference to food, and the cuisine of Périgord, characterized by truffles, foie gras, and other goose and duck products, is world renowned.


About the Dordogne

Périgord Noir

Périgord Pourpre

Bergerac-et-Cazenac

Domme

Lascaux & Montignac

Périgueux

Sarlat-la-Canéda

About Aquitaine

 

Serene - a novel of the Belle Epoque

 

Chateau de Beynac, Dordogne, France

Above, Château de Beynac, in the
Périgord, Dordogne France.

Below, Prehistoric cave painting, Lascaux IV, in the Périgord Noir, Dordogne, France.


 

 




Cave painting, Lascaux II, Dordogne, France

Prehistoric cave painting, Lascaux IV, in the Périgord Noir, Dordogne, France

 
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