Bergerac Things to Do

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We sat out on the square in the evening sun whilst waiting for the owner. It really was beautiful, calm, no cars moving about, so very peaceful. Practically all the houses here date from the 16th c with half-timbered "bricou" frontages. A couple on the north side of the square were being renovated inside, which virtually means ripping the whole thing apart, just keeping the frontage, which of course are classed historic monuments, so untouchable today.

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This converted convent was built between the 12th and 17th centuries and used by the "Recollets" order of Franciscans. It was used afterwards as a Protestant temple (now rehoused in the adjacent building). Now turned into the Wine museum of Bergerac it still retains a somewhat "olde worlde" look about it. In the centre of the building is the superb cloister with a century old Paulownia tree that had left a carpet of flowers for us to walk on. The museum and tastings are closed on Mondays, but the cloister remains open for anyone to walk around, we had the place to ourselves. Hours of entry vary depending on the month of the year but is free all the time. Closed the whole month in January and Mondays all year long.

There are a number of places to pick up a kayak, Beynac is just one of them and you get a choice of how many how long a journey you want to do.

We chose a 15K trip which was great. The views are just breathtaking.

You wont be alone there are hundreds of people messing about on the water, but suggest you take a picnic and you can pull up on a bank at various points along the way and just chill for a while.

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We found a couple of parks in Bergerac one was a good half an hours walk 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 heard such noisy little chaps in my life.

This sounds really baoring, but it was not , in fact it is really interesting. A must if the weather is bad as you can spend quite a long time there, over the three floors. Many artifacts, even some cigarette boxes that I remember from when I was younger!!!!

Both recreational and educational, this aquarium has 3000000 litres of water where in natural light you can watch 6000 plus fish. With more than 30 pools you make a voyage through 5 covered visiting areas. Outside there is a shop and a bar "Croc - o - Grill" and mini golf, picnic area. toilets,acces ramps for wheelchairs. Great family day out.

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When in Bergerac you must take a trip on the river, it lasts about 1 hour, and if you do not speak French you are given a book in English to translate what the skipper is saying! Whilst on the trip you pass a area where many birds nest, we saw quite a few kites soaring over head as we understood they feed on dead fish in the river. There is supposedly woodpeckers, kingfishers and lots of other birds nesting there, great if you are a twitcher. A lovely way to spend a lazy afternoon especially if you get the weather like we did.

Of Roman origin, the Saint Jacques church was historically a place of rest for pilgrims following the Santiago de Compostelle route.

The church was partially destroyed during the wars of religion; Louis XIV was ultimately responsible for its reconstruction. Only the clock tower above the balcony is original, but it is still an attractive building.

It's situated on the Place Pelissiere, so sitting out at one of the patios is a terrific way to enjoy a view of the church.