Roughly halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, Agen is perhaps best known for its plums and prunes, grown (a stone’s throw away) in neighbouring villages. Agen people are very friendly, but avid rugby fans, so mind your tackle when sampling the delicious fruit liqueurs.

A lovely old port spread across both sides of the Dordogne River, Bergerac is also the centre of this wine-producing region, so expect fine dining and excellent wines after you’ve visited the wine and tobacco museums.

Beynac castle, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, was once used by Périgord nobility. It crowns a sheer cliff above one of the most attractive stretches of the river. You might also dig its Archaeological Park.

Inside or out, this ‘Acropolis of the Dordogne’ offers great beauty in its maze of ancient street and medieval gateways.

The old quarter is a cocktail of 14th, 15th and 16th century architecture and modern bars and restaurants.

The crossroads of the Périgord since ancient times, enjoy the striking Cathedrale St-Front and the Musée du Périgord, with prehistoric artefacts dating back more than 70,000 years.

A stunning village built into a sheer cliff, it’s one of France’s most visited attractions. It’s still a place of holy pilgrimage for the devout. You can pray it doesn’t rain.

The capital of Périgord-Noir, this bustling market town offers more medieval, Renaissance and 17th century buildings in one place than anywhere else in France. Compare it to a vast, open-air museum.