Bergerac, Dordogne Explained

Bergerac
Commune Status:Subprefecture and commune
Image Coat Of Arms:Blason ville fr Bergerac2 (Dordogne).svg
Image Size:260px
Arrondissement:Bergerac
Canton:Bergerac-1 and 2
Insee:24037
Postal Code:24100
Mayor:Jonathan Prioleaud[1]
Party:LR
Term:2020 - 2026
Intercommunality:CA Bergeracoise
Coordinates:44.85°N 0.48°W
Elevation M:29
Elevation Min M:12
Elevation Max M:146
Area Km2:56.10

Bergerac (in French pronounced as /bɛʁʒəʁak/; in Occitan (post 1500); pronounced as /braˈzɛjra/) is a subprefecture of the Dordogne department, in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Southwestern France. In 2018, the commune had a population of 26,823, which made it the department's second-most populated after the prefecture Périgueux. Located on the banks of the river Dordogne, Bergerac was designated a Town of Art and History by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.[2]

History

In 1565, Charles IX of France visited Bergerac during his grand tour.

On 17 September 1577, amidst the French Wars of Religion, the Treaty of Bergerac, also known as the Peace of Bergerac (French: Paix de Bergerac), was signed between Henri III of France and Protestants to put a temporary end to the conflict. The treaty was negotiated by important figures on each side of the conflict, namely Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy and Armand de Gontaut, baron de Biron on the King's side and François de la Noue and François, Duke of Montpensier on the Protestant side.

Bergerac, which was a site where members of the French Resistance in Dordogne were incarcerated and interrogated during World War II, was freed from German occupation on 21 August 1944.[3]

Climate

With climate change, Bergerac's climate has varied. A study carried out in 2014 by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate[4] predicts that the average temperature should increase and the average rainfall decrease.

Economy

See main article: Bergerac wine. The region is primarily known for wine and tobacco. It has twelve recognised wine AOCs (appellations d'origine contrôlée):

Immigration

Bergerac is home to a population of British and Donegal people who frequently identify as 'expats' rather than immigrants. This trend is not unique to Bergerac and is evident throughout the Dordogne.[5] In part, this is driven by house prices which are very affordable when compared with either the French or British national averages.[6] The increasing British presence has led to some integration initiatives such as the non-profit Université du Temps Libre which offers French language classes and a programme of cultural activities; mainly to increase assimilation.[7]

Tourism

The town has a growing tourism industry. The region's association with wines is also a key motivating factor for much tourism[8] with wine tours, chateau visits and a wine house by the river which features an exhibition on the history of wine growing. Nearby sites for tourists include the Arboretum de Podestat, Château de Monbazillac, the town museum, statue museum, and tobacco museum. The church of Notre Dame is located in the town centre.[9] The Dordogne River is also a significant tourist attraction for river boat tours and kayak rental.

Cyrano de Bergerac

The town contains two statues of Cyrano de Bergerac, subject of a famous eponymous play by Edmond Rostand. An old stone statue stands on Place de la Myrpe, facing Place du Docteur Cayla. A newer statue, painted in colour and standing on a stainless steel pedestal, has been erected on Place Pélissière .

Transport

See also: Bergerac station. Bergerac is served by Bergerac-Roumanière Airport (code EGC), which has internal flights, as well as routes to UK airports including Southampton, Bristol, Manchester, East Midlands, London Luton, Edinburgh, Exeter, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and London Stansted Airport. Transavia also flies to Bergerac from Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Bergerac has an SNCF station with regular services to Bordeaux and Sarlat-la-Canéda. A weekday bus service operates between Bergerac and Périgueux, mainly serving student commuters.

Education

Bergerac is located within the Bordeaux Académie, which covers the entire former Aquitaine region. The main high school is Lycée Maine de Biran. Other high schools in the town include the private school Institution Sainte-Marthe Saint-Front, Lycée Jean Capelle and Lycée Professionnel de l'Alba.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France.

Bergerac, Dordogne is twinned with:[10]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 6 June 2023. fr.
  2. https://www.sudouest.fr/2013/12/09/bergerac-est-classee-ville-d-art-et-d-histoire-1253928-1733.php?nic "Bergerac est classée Ville d'art et d'histoire"
  3. https://www.sudouest.fr/politique/le-21-aout-1944-bergerac-etait-liberee-2508331.php "Le 21 août 1944, Bergerac était libérée"
  4. Web site: Le climat de la France au XXIe siècle - Volume 4 - Scénarios régionalisés : édition 2014 pour la métropole et les régions d'outre-mer . June 12, 2021 . www.ecologie.gouv.fr/. .
  5. Web site: 'It's been mad': Dordogne town's unexpected Brexit boom. TheGuardian.com. 27 March 2018.
  6. Web site: Why is Dordogne so popular with Brits?. 8 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Université du Temps Libre de Bergerac. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190711154015/https://utlbergerac.com/Welcome . 2019-07-11 .
  8. Web site: Wine & cuisine. 11 July 2019. 11 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190711154003/https://www.pays-bergerac-tourisme.com/en/discover/wine-cuisine. dead.
  9. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:%C3%89glise_Notre-Dame_(Bergerac) Category:Église Notre-Dame (Bergerac)
  10. Web site: Les relations internationales. bergerac.fr. Bergerac. fr. 2019-11-21.