SUNWHEELS.COM

FRANCE - BERGERAC CITY

Cyrano de Bergerac never went to the town that bears his name but this pleasant country town in south-west France deserves a visit. With its foie gras, truffles and wine, Bergerac is a gourmet's paradise and its well-preserved medieval centre is filled with fountains and half-timbered buildings. Bergerac also provides the ideal gateway from which to explore the picturesque countryside, castles and villages of the Dordogne.

In the Dordogne, in the heart of purple Périgord, take advantage of a cruise in a traditional flat-bottomed barge on the River Dordogne and discover the mediaeval town of Bergerac, and famous for its wines. Monbazillac, Côtes de Bergerac, Pécharmant. all the appellations of the Bergerac vineyards illustrate the expertise of more than 1000 wine growers. Meet the owners of the vineyards in the Bergerac area for walks between the vines, a visit to the cellars, a taste of the wine. Lessons in wine tasting are also available, to enable you to deepen your knowledge. About 100 châteaux are open to the public.

The Bergerac weekly markets are the best place to find fresh, local produce, fruit and vegetables and the many regional delicacies and ingredients. The market's other role as a convivial meeting place cannot be underplayed; sauntering past attractively laden stalls, bumping into friends and acquaintances are all part of the Bergerac market charm. These are simple pleasures in life and so as not to miss out on them, below is a selective list of the Bergerac region's weekly markets.

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings markets are held around the church and in the covered market.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a market at the Place Gambetta.
On Friday morning at the Place de la Madeleine.
On Sunday morning at Naillac and the Brunetière.

After wandering round Bergerac's local market beside the church of Notre-Dame (Wednesday and Saturday mornings), look for the half-timbered buildings lining rue du Mourrier. Walk under the 16th-century archway of Passage Bobinsky to rue des Fontaines and rue St-James for some impressive Renaissance façades and the Romanesque church of Saint Jacques. The fountain on place Pélissière was once used for washing clothes. Proceed to place de la Mirpe for the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac and the old homes of master bargemen. Past the Cloître des Récollets is rue Saint Clar with its houses built with wood frames and loam. Walk past the lovely square on rue des Rois de France to reach the River Dordogne.

Evening markets are held in Bergerac on Fridays and there is a flea market on the first Sunday morning of the month. The grape harvesting festival runs from October 4 to 6. For further information, contact the Bergerac tourist office (0033 553 570311, www.bergerac-tourisme.com )