Car hire in Bergerac gives you the freedom to roam through the French countryside and explore this beautiful area at your own leisure. With Bergerac located centrally, there’s scope to visit many of the nearby historic towns and cities on your trip. To find the city centre, head south from the airport, along the D14 Route d’Agen, crossing over the Dordogne river along the way.

For a cultural excursion, take a short drive down the D13 to find the Chateau de Monbazillac monument. Famed for its 16th-century renaissance architecture, here you’ll find a host of contemporary art exhibitions to enjoy. The quaint town of Périgueux, just a six-mile drive from Bergerac, boasts a unique history and proud heritage, where you’ll discover an array of Gallo-Roman artefacts and the remains of the crumbling amphitheatre.

You’ll also find beautiful fortified towns, known as bastides, right on Bergerac’s doorstep. La Linde is just half an hour’s drive north along the D660. With gorgeous countryside views, there’s also the smallest bridge in Dordogne to visit, just a 10-minute drive away on the D8/E4 in Molières.

Those looking to explore wider south-western France can visit Bordeaux along the E70 toll road. A two-hour drive towards the west coast in moderate traffic, this cosmopolitan port city is the height of elegance and well worth visiting.

There’s ample street parking in Bergerac’s centre, with most of it free, especially near the harbour. Keep an eye out for the speed limit signs, but as a general rule the limit is 130km/h (80mph) on motorways, 50km/h (31mph) in towns and cities and 80km/h (49mph) outside of built up areas.

As in the rest of mainland Europe, the French drive on the right-hand side of the road.

An endearing market town with a fascinating medieval history and an array of world-famous exports, there’s more to Bergerac than first meets the eye. Perched on the northern bank of the Dordogne River, Bergerac’s quintessential French charm and low living costs have long stolen the hearts of hundreds of British ex-pats. Its reputation for Grecian art and a unique roman history, attracting tourists from across the globe.

World-class exports

A corner of the world famed for its wine appellations, here, vineyard tours and tastings are the order of the day – just make sure your car keys are safely hung up for the day. As home to more than 30,000 acres and 12 vineyards, this prestigious area produces world-famous wines. Red, white and rose wines are all produced in the region, with sweet, dry and medium-sweet varieties available

The area is also known for its tobacco industry, and the city is home to Europe’s last serving tobacco museum, the Musée du Tabac.

The old town

A visit to Bergerac’s old town is not to be missed. The Place Pelissière sits at its core, the beating heart of the city. Beautiful and busy, it’s filled with fresh blooms, buzzing cafes and delicious eateries, overlooked by St James’ Church and its stunning bell tower. Here, you’ll also find a statue of the famous Cyarno de Bergerac, the French satirist and playwright who is fictionally associated with the city, despite being rumoured to have only visited the city a couple of times. Market days are Saturday and Wednesday until lunchtime, with an antiques market held on the first Sunday of each month. From the Place Pelissière, the old town’s half-timbered houses and narrow passages transport visitors to a time gone by. Enjoy the afternoon sunshine as you stroll the maze of old streets and soak up the age-old atmosphere. Wine enthusiasts should leave their hire car at home and head to the Maison des Vins de Bergerac, where you’ll be able to find out all about winemaking. End the tour with a group wine-tasting session in the onsite bar.

The Dordogne Valley

Bergerac is known as the gateway to the wider Dordogne Valley. A natural trade route for the leather and wood industries, the Dordogne Valley is one of the most picturesque areas in south-west France.

Vézére Valley is home to world-famous, pre-historic cave art – there are 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area alone. They’re some of the few remaining sites where prehistoric paintings are still accessible to the public.

Visit the medieval castle at Beynac-et-Cazenac, where you’ll find the one of the best-preserved medieval structures in France. Proudly positioned on top of the cliffs, it has panoramic views across the countryside and down into the cobbled streets of the village below. Explore the beautiful Nouvelle-Aquitaine region with Bergerac car hire.