Dordogne, Aquitaine

You will find a great selection of houses and other types of properties for sale in the former province of the PERIGORD, now known as the Dordogne.

Between Paris and Pyrenees, midway between Pole and Equator, the region is crossed by the Transeuropean road and the 45th parallel.

Its location gives it a particulary mild climate, pleasant in all seasons.

It is a land of rich variety, set between ocean, continental and mountain areas. The gentle hues of such diversity are symbolised by the four colours of the Perigord, four regions in one.

In the land of the philosopher Montaigne, Wine and Tobacco reign, and French & English bastides or fortified villages recall a page of history where life was organized and lived so differently.

The finest Gothic and Renaissance residences were built in Périgueux, Bergerac and Sarlat. I

n the countryside, the nobility had the majority of the 1200 chateaux, manors and country houses erected. A number of ruins (La Chapelle-Faucher, I'Herm...) have retained the memory of the tragedies which took place within their walls. Several of our castles and châteaux are open to visitors and some of them such as Bourdeilles and Mareuil, house remarkable collections.

In addition to its castles, chateaux, churches, Bastides and cave fortresses. Périgord has preserved from centuries past, a number of wonderful villages which still have their market hall, dovecotes, Tories (stone huts), church, abbey and castles.

As for the old quarters of Périgueux or Bergerac, restored and developed into pedestrian areas, they have regained their former charm.

A number of small towns, such as Brantôme, Issigeac. Eymet and Mareuil have withstood the often brash changes of modern times.

A special mention should be made in this respect to Sarlat and Black Périgord.

Road access is good whilst there are international flights to Bergerac and nearby Bordeaux, Angouleme and Limoges.

• Medieval Architecture at Bourdeilles- a medieval chateau built to receive Catherine de Medici. The building works stopped when the visit was cancelled but the castle still dominates the town.
• Gastronomic centre at Perigueux - head here for the best of the local produce: truffles, pies or 'pates de Perigueux' or cured meats or 'charcuterie'.
• Sarlat - a beautiful town possessing the highest concentration of Medieval & Renaissance architecture of any town in France. Some of France's best markets are also found here!
• Grotte de font de Gaume - discover some of Europe's finest prehistoric paintings in the caves near Eyzies.