In southwestern France was the former province of Périgord, in the northeast of New Aquitaine. The entire region is divided into different departments, among which is the one known as Périgord Noir. This area has been given this name for the dark tone of its forests and also for the precious delicacy found in them, the truffle.
Let's see what can be seen in the Périgord Noir area in France, a sub-region that offers beautiful natural landscapes to get lost. In France there are undoubtedly many places that go beyond the big cities.
Périgord divisions
This space can be divide in two ways. On the one hand it can be divided between Upper Périgord with capital in Périgueux and Périgord Cada with capital in Sarlat-la-Caneda. However, there is a much more touristy way in which they have divided the region, with subregions They are named by colors.
El Green Périgord is centered in Nontrom. This name comes from the vast green countryside with impressive oak forests. This tourist name makes this area known for its beautiful green color, with beautiful fields.
El Perigod White it has Périgueux as its main city. In this area of the region, a calcareous soil predominates, which is what gives it its name, hence white is the tone chosen for this sub-region.
At Périgord Purple there is the beautiful village of Bergerac. This name comes from the large number of vineyards that are dedicated to the cultivation of grapes for the production of a rich wine.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
This is the most important village of the Périgord Noir and without a doubt one of the most beautiful villages in all of France, which has spectacular populations. This is one of those towns in France that retains its medieval charm really well. In its old streets, the houses that look like small palaces with high towers stand out. This is because the merchants of that time wanted to show their status even if they did not have nobility in their blood. In this way they bought two houses and between them they built those towers. This is the city with the largest number of buildings declared of historical interest.
La Cathedral of San Sacerdos it is its most representative building. It still preserves some of the remains of the old Romanesque church that was in that place. The bell tower is from the XNUMXth century but almost the entire building belongs to the XNUMXth century.
Another of its points of interest is the Lantern of the Dead or tower of San bernardo de Sarlat. This is the oldest standing building in the city, dating back to the XNUMXth century. It is said that this tower was used as a lantern to guide lost travelers, although its windows are too narrow to serve this purpose well. That is why today it is believed that it could be either a mausoleum or a small chapel to perform some rituals.
At Lóleo Eventos, Liberté Square there is the city market, which is located in the church of Santa María, which has not been a church for several centuries. In this square there are great cafes and terraces to relax and discover the hustle and bustle of this small town.
The Vézère Valley and Lascaux
This area preserves many remains of prehistory, with more than 100 archaeological sites and 25 caves painted during the Paleolithic. The Lascaux cave It is one of the most important and is located near the town of Montignac. In the 60s the caves were closed due to the visible damage that tourism was causing them, so in the eighties they decided to create a replica as has been done with the Altamira caves, in order to preserve them intact.
Eyrignac Gardens
These gardens seem to be the most beautiful in France and are located precisely in this part of the Dordogne, in the Périgord Noir. They are very close to Sarlat, making it an almost obligatory visit. They were created in the XNUMXth century and in them you can see vegetable sculptures, small pools, thousands of different plants, flowers, fountains and even a Chinese pagoda. It surprises everyone who visits them due to its elegance and how well cared for they are.
La Roque-Gageac
This is another town that captivates with its incredible beauty. It is fortified and is located on the banks of the Dordogne River. One of the most common activities for tourists who visit the town is to get on one of its traditional boats to see the houses and the castle from the river, where they have the best perspective of the town. The second activity consists of getting lost in its steep streets and enjoying the old buildings and its cobbled streets.