Bergerac — Behind Cyrano's Nose

Your literary quest begins in Place Pélissière, the former Place de la Halle in the 16th century, the historic heart of Bergerac. Right here, a medieval covered market was rebuilt in 1550 before its demolition in 1825. This spot was also the scene of festivities and public executions, particularly during the tumultuous Wars of Religion from 1562 to 1598, which deeply marked the city. A few steps away, the Statue of Cyrano de Bergerac, erected in bronze in 1852 by Antoine Ténot, pays homage to Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, a 17th-century writer whose name is inseparable from Bergerac thanks to Edmond Rostand's 1897 work. This imposing 3-meter figure is an ideal starting point to explore Bergerac's heritage.

Continue to the Cloître des Récollets, a building constructed in 1630 by the Franciscan order of the Récollets, classified as a Historic Monument in 1927. Its Renaissance architecture, with arcaded galleries spanning 500 m² around a central enclosed garden, offers a serene setting for reflection. This cloister was transformed into a municipal museum in 1792 after the French Revolution, testifying to political and cultural upheavals. Upon leaving, Rue Saint-James, a cobbled street in the historic quarter, awaits you. Named after the 13th-century Saint-Jacques-du-Puy church, this street was a former Jewish commercial center in the 14th century before the expulsion of 1394. Its half-timbered houses, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, are emblematic of Bergerac's heritage and immerse you in the history of Bergerac.

The route then leads you to Quai Salvette, a river quay developed on the Dordogne in the 18th century, a crucial hub for the wine trade. Stretching 800 meters, it is lined with bourgeois houses, residences of shipowners from the 17th and 18th centuries. From here, traditional boats called 'gabarres' departed for Bordeaux until the 19th century, carrying the wealth of Bergerac, the Wine Capital. This stage reveals the city's economic importance and its deep connection to the Dordogne. A little further, the Notre-Dame de Bergerac Church, a flamboyant Gothic church built between 1487 and 1520, dominates the landscape with its 50-meter-high bell tower-porch and sculpted portal featuring 200 statues. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1840, it even served as a Protestant place of worship after 1569, illustrating the religious tensions of the era in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Place de la Mirpe, the former bishopric square, takes its name from Bishop Guillaume de La Mirpe in the 14th century. This site hosted the medieval town hall, destroyed in 1793, marking another key moment of the Revolution. The 1555 Renaissance fountain, adorned with dolphins and the city's coat of arms, is a jewel of Renaissance heritage, a testament to the aesthetic of that period. Finally, you cross the Pont Saint-Léonard, also known as the Pont de Bergerac. This iron suspension bridge, built in 1837 by engineer Marc Séguin, was the first chain suspension bridge in France, measuring 320 meters. Although replaced in 1964 by the current structure, its history connects the city center to the Saint-Léonard district and embodies the technical ingenuity of the 19th century.

Your exploration of Bergerac, punctuated by its historic monuments and rich Renaissance heritage, will have allowed you to grasp the soul of this city. From bustling squares to commercial quays, passing through religious buildings and bridges, each site has revealed a part of its history. You leave with a deep understanding of Bergerac, the Wine Capital, its emblematic figures like Cyrano, and the events that shaped it. This interactive visit is a complete immersion into the past, offering you the keys to write your own story inspired by the history of Bergerac, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.