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This region in the southwest of France corresponds to the larger area in and around the scenic Dordogne, a part of the country famous for its green rural setting, Roman era ruins, gourmet food and the winding river of the same name.
Périgueux, the capital of the Périgord area of Aquitaine, is home to a long history that has been beautifully preserved. The unique Saint Fronte Cathedral is the ecclesiastical highlight of the town, built more than 800 years ago. Roman architecture as seen at the town’s amphitheatre and the Domus of Vesunna, a Roman villa, are other impressive sights to be seen here.
Also in the Dordogne, the town of Montignac houses some of the most startling examples of early prehistoric cave paintings thought to date back some 25,000 years which show the early hunting of now extinct animals from the area.
The surrounding countryside is dotted with a number of castles such as Losse, Beynac and Hautefort. This is an area famous for its truffles and foie gras pate, as featured in many of its restaurants which serve local Bergerac and Montbazillac wines.
Toulouse, the capital of Midi-Pyrenees, sits beside the Garonne River in the middle of the region. This small city of pedestrian cobbled streets can easily be navigated on foot. It is best-known as an aviation centre and features a museum dedicated to flight known as Space City, along with a planetarium and interactive exhibits.
Lourdes, close to the Spanish border, is a hill-top town that attracts pilgrims from all over the world given its status as a site touched by apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The town itself is ideal for walking, while more serious hikers might wish to explore the surrounding region with its spectacular views and peaks that rise to above 3,000 metres.
Close by, the much larger Tarbes is one of the principal towns in the Gascony region featuring the beautiful Jardin Massey, built in the 19th century with its stunning museum and school of arts. The surrounding gardens and lawns are pristine.Gothic, and Renaissance architecture and even prehistoric cave paintings.
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