Périgueux – hard to spell but well worth a visit

Périgueux is in the Dordogne area which is part of the Aquitaine in France. It is the red spot on the map of France below.  The pic at the top of this post was taken from a moving car as we approached the city – the lovely building across the river is the St Front Cathedral.

We were there on a Wednesday – and every week there is a market on Wednesday – not a food market but a  market for clothes, bags, shoes, material, knick knacks etc.  The French really love their markets.

After the market we walked over into the old town (only 5 minutes or so away) and had lunch in Place Saint Salin – this was one of many squares we saw which was full of restaurants - the tables were outside under some nice shady trees.  We have learned the importance of being prompt at noon for lunch.  If you're late you will be lucky to get a table.

We went to Notre Belle Époque – which I chose on the basis of its table settings - had the basic menu of Plat du Jour (grilled chicken with lemon and basil - served with some grilled baby aubergine and a salad. Dessert was a choice from the menu - we had 3 balls of ice cream each – an indulgence. This meal cost 13.50Euro each – which I think is good value.

The cathedral was only a 3 min walk away. A young boy was playing the bagpipes outside it which was a bit incongruous - and loud!

At the cathedral and in a couple of other places we were accosted by middle aged male beggars – this hasn't happened to us in other towns in the region.

Périgueux  has some really narrow old streets – which cars still drive down. Not us, thankfully.

 There are also pedestrian streets.