Périgord

Périgord is a historic region of south-western France that corresponds largely to the modern Dordogne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The name is used in cultural and tourist contexts to denote an area known for its prehistoric heritage, medieval towns, and varied landscapes rather than for a current administrative unit.

Geography and subdivisions are defined by river valleys, notably those of the Dordogne and the Vézère, with forests, limestone plateaus, and agricultural land. Traditionally the region is divided into four areas by color names: Périgord Noir (dark forests around Sarlat), Périgord Blanc (white limestone around Périgueux), Périgord Vert (green, wooded valleys in the north), and Périgord Pourpre (purple, wine country near Bergerac). These divisions serve mainly tourism and regional identity.

The area has a long prehistory, with many sites along the Vézère and Dordogne valleys, including Lascaux and other decorated caves. In 1979, several of these prehistoric sites were collectively inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley. In the medieval period, the region developed numerous bastide towns and châteaux, contributing to a dense legacy of architecture and landscape that remains a hallmark of the countryside.

Economy today combines agriculture, forestry, and tourism. The region is renowned for its gastronomy, including duck and goose products such as foie gras and confit, as well as walnuts and truffles. Tourism centers on historic towns, cave sites, and the scenic Dordogne and Vézère valleys, attracting visitors to sites like Sarlat-la-Canéda, Périgueux, and Bergerac.