Bergerac is found in the heart of the wine growing region of south-west France. To reach the town you can travel directly into Bergerac by train or air, or you can fly into one of the international airports such as Bordeaux and Toulouse, each approximately two hours drive away.

The town has a long-standing reputation for the wines produced in the surrounding region, both reds and whites. It was the Romans who introduced vines from Italy to the region 2000 years ago. The Romans left after 200 years but the vines remained and, later on, the wealth of the town during the 17th to 19th centuries was to be built on sales of wine.

The fascinating history of the wine industry in the region is told in a Museum of Wine in Bergerac, which is also found in a fascinating medieval building with small decorative cloisters. There is much more to Bergerac than just wine, however. The town has a large medieval centre with numerous interesting buildings dating from the middle-ages. Typically these buildings are either half-timbered or stone (often a mix of the two styles) with various decorative features incorporated in the designs.

A couple of other museums in the town include the Costi Museum, with statues by the well known Greek sculptor; and a Museum of Tobacco (also historically a very important crop in the region). The old town (signposted Vieille Ville in French) also contains various cafes and restaurants, a perfect opportunity to sit in the the southern sunshine and watch the world go by.

Continue down through the old town to reach the Dordogne River, broad and slow moving at this point having passed quietly through the medieval landscapes of the Dordogne Valley. You can take a trip on a traditional boat (called a gabarre) along the river from Bergerac to see a bit more of the river scenery.

If you need more modern shopping facilities head up the hill to the newer part of the town, where you will find a large selection of shops to satisfy all your needs. If you prefer shopping in a traditional French market you might prefer to visit on a Saturday, when a large and colourful market takes over many of the streets in the town.