- There are quite a few bottlenecks in the very centre of Bergerac – where a two-way street narrows, look out for signs indicating who has right of way.
- Think about leaving the car at home on Bergerac's market days (Wednesday and Saturday). They're a fantastic experience, as long as you aren't trying to drive or park.
- The D32 is the main road running east-west through the town centre, but for longer drives in either direction, drop south to join the faster D660 (east) or D936 (west). For longer north-south journeys, use the N21 to the east.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Bergerac
Bergerac's medieval centre spreads elegantly onto the banks of the Dordogne River. Do it on foot to enjoy pavement cafes and cobbled streets, then jump in a hire car to explore the wider region, famous for its castles and vineyards – Bergerac wine is every bit as good as that of neighbouring Bordeaux.
Fast facts about hiring a car from Bergerac Airport
If you’re flying into Bergerac, you’ll find a good choice of big car hire brands at Bergerac Airport (EGC), including Avis, Hertz, Enterprise and Sixt. The airport is around 10-15 minutes' drive from Bergerac itself. You can also reach Périgueux in 45 minutes, and Périgord in just under an hour.
Bergerac Airport has just one terminal, and you’ll find the car hire desks on its ground floor.
Car hire companies with desks in Bergerac Airport include:
- Avis (Tel: +33 553 612483)
- Buggs (Tel: +33 553 360586)
- Enterprise / Citer-Alamo-National (Tel: +33 553 748242)
- Europcar (Tel +33 553 616161)
- Hertz (Tel +33 553 271051)
- Sixt (Tel +33 553 576166)
Hiring a car in Bergerac city centre
If you’re not arriving via Bergerac Airport but still want the flexibility of exploring the region by car, you’ll find several rental companies in the town centre. They’re mostly clustered around Bergerac Station and include brands like Avis, Europcar and Thrifty, as well as local suppliers – so you'll still be able to shop around for some cheap deals
Driving around Bergerac itself is fairly straightforward. The N21 north brings you in from the airport, and joins the D709, which runs round the town's historic core. Things get a little trickier further in, particularly if you've hired a larger car – the streets of the Old Town are narrow and winding in places, with some one-way roads and pedestrianised zones. Luckily it's a small area, and it's easy to park just outside and explore on foot.
You can sometimes get lucky in the small city-centre car parks, particularly outside the peak summer season. Try the bays on Rue de la Fonbalquine, a block or so west of the main shopping areas. There are also bays on the more central Place Louis de la Bardonnie, but that gets busier. Elsewhere, there are larger car parks on the D709 (Parking Malbec) and D32 (the large Parking SAGS Bellegarde).
Recommended day trips from Bergerac
Monbazillac
Driving time: 15 minutes
The Dordogne region is scattered with quaint medieval villages, and Monbazillac is one of the easiest to reach from Bergerac. The village is also known for its sweet wine, which has been produced in the area for centuries – but the main attraction is Château de Monbazillac, a fairy-tale castle surrounded by vineyards. It hosts regular art exhibitions and wine tastings.
Le Bugue
Driving time: One hour
East of Bergerac, the River Vézère flows into the Dordogne – and close to their confluence is Bugue, a waterside town that shares many of Bergerac's medieval charms. Come simply to see a new town in the region, or to visit a couple of fantastic organised attractions: the Aquarium du Perigord Noir, an impressively designed space with everything from crocs to enormous koi; and Village de Bournat, a living museum that offers a glimpse into traditional rural life in the Dordogne.
Grotte de Villars
Driving time: One hour 30 minutes
The Dordogne is packed with manmade wonders – but what about its natural ones? A trip to the prehistoric Grotte de Villars on the southern fringes of the Parc Naturel Regional Perigord-Limousin is the perfect example and well worth the drive. It’s a natural cave that forms part of an underground river system, and among its dramatic rock formations you can see ancient cave paintings and engravings that date back 17,000 years.