Périgueux history

Foundation and Ancient Roots

The history of Périgueux spans over two millennia. Initially, these lands were inhabited by the Gallic tribe of the Petrocorii, from whose name the modern city derives its name. However, it took shape as a fully-fledged urban center during the Roman era.

• 16 BC: The Romans founded the city of Vesunna in the Isle River valley. It became the administrative and religious center of the Roman province of Aquitaine.
• Urbanization: Vesunna was designed according to the classical Roman layout with a forum, temples, and an amphitheater, the ruins of which have survived to this day.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Périgueux in the Middle Ages was defined by its unique political geography. For a long time, two rival settlements existed here, which united into one city only in 1240.

• La Cité: The heir to ancient Vesunna, this district remained a stronghold of the aristocracy and ecclesiastical authority under the administration of the bishop.
• Puy-Saint-Front: A new commercial town that grew around the monastery and tomb of Saint Front. This was the center for the bourgeoisie, artisans, and merchants.
• Geography: Its location on the banks of the Isle River made the city a vital transport hub for the Périgord region.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The dual nature of the city contributed to its multifaceted development, combining administrative power with commercial enterprise.

• Religious Center: Thanks to the construction of the majestic Saint-Front Cathedral, the city became an important stop for pilgrims following the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela.
• Architecture: The early appearance of the city was shaped by the influence of Byzantine motifs (the cathedral domes) and Roman heritage (the Tower of Vésone), creating a unique architectural ensemble.

Chronology of the Development of Périgueux

• 16 BC — Foundation by the Romans of the city of Vesunna, which became the administrative center of the Petrocorii territory.
• Late 3rd Century — Construction of a powerful defensive wall around the city for protection against barbarian invasions.
• Circa 976 — Start of construction of the Saint-Front Abbey, around which a lively merchant quarter grew.
• 1240 — The momentous unification of the two rival settlements, La Cité and Puy-Saint-Front, into the single city of Périgueux.
• 1360–1454 — The city finds itself at the center of the Hundred Years' War events, serving as a frontier outpost for the French crown.
• 1575 — Capture of Périgueux by Huguenots during the Wars of Religion, which led to significant damage to ecclesiastical architecture.
• 1669 — Transfer of the episcopal see from the Church of Saint-Étienne to the majestic Saint-Front Cathedral.
• 1790 — Périgueux receives the status of administrative center (prefecture) of the newly formed Dordogne department.
• 1857 — Opening of railway connections, linking the city to the national transport network and accelerating economic growth.
• 1852–1901 — Large-scale restoration of Saint-Front Cathedral by architect Paul Abadie, giving the building its famous Byzantine domes.
• 1939 — Arrival of thousands of evacuated residents from Strasbourg and Alsace at the beginning of World War II.
• 1944 — Liberation of the city from German occupation by local Resistance forces without large-scale destruction.
• 2003 — Opening of the unique Vesunna Museum, designed by architect Jean Nouvel directly over the ancient ruins.

Key Stages of City Development

The history of Périgueux is a journey from ancient grandeur through commercial rivalry to the status of a modern administrative and tourist center. Below are the main milestones that defined the city's appearance and economy.

• Ancient Urbanization (1st Century AD):

  Construction of the Roman city of Vesunna with an amphitheater, temples, and a forum. Significance: The foundation of the urban layout was laid and the status of regional capital was secured, the ruins of which today form the basis of archaeological tourism.

• The Great Unification (1240):

  The merger of the aristocratic city of La Cité and the bourgeois Puy-Saint-Front. Significance: Creation of a single administrative and economic entity, uniting ecclesiastical authority and merchant capital for dominance in the region.

• Renaissance Architectural Boom (15th–16th Centuries):

  Mass construction of luxurious stone mansions and trading houses by wealthy citizens. Significance: Formation of the unique historic center, which is today under state protection and attracts architecture enthusiasts.

• Prefecture Status (1790):

  Périgueux was chosen as the capital of the Dordogne department. Significance: Consolidation of the administrative function as the basis of the city's economy, which ensured stability of development and an influx of civil servants.

• Railway Revolution (1857):

  Arrival of the railway and the opening of large repair workshops for the "Paris-Orléans" company. Significance: Transformation of the city into an industrial hub, sharp population growth, and the appearance of new working-class districts (the station district).

• Monumental Reconstruction (Late 19th Century):

  Radical restoration of Saint-Front Cathedral by architect Paul Abadie. Significance: Creation of the famous "Byzantine" silhouette with domes, which became the city's main visual brand.

• Modern Musealization (2003):

  Opening of the Vesunna Museum designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Significance: An urban planning experiment combining modern architecture with ancient ruins, giving impetus to the development of international cultural tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Périgueux is a visual chronicle, where each layer corresponds to a specific historical era. The city developed non-linearly: from a strict Roman plan to a tangled medieval labyrinth and subsequent expansion during the industrialization era.

Antiquity: Gallo-Roman Style

The oldest layer of the city, located in the southern part (La Cité district), represents the legacy of Roman urban planning of the 1st–2nd centuries. This era is characterized by monumentality and functionality.

• Style: Roman Classicism.
• Key Objects:
  • Tower of Vésone (Tour de Vésone) — remains of the cella of the temple of the goddess Vesunna, demonstrating the power of Roman masonry.
  • Amphitheater — ruins transformed into a park zone, reminding of the scale of the ancient city.

Middle Ages: Romanesque Style and Byzantine Influence

In the Middle Ages, the city was divided into two centers, leading to dense chaotic development, narrow streets, and the dominance of ecclesiastical architecture. A unique feature of Périgueux is the use of domes, atypical for French Gothic.

• Style: Romanesque (with Byzantine elements) and Gothic.
• Key Objects:
  • Saint-Front Cathedral (Saint-Front) — the main symbol of the city. Its plan in the shape of a Greek cross and five domes alludes to Byzantine architecture (resembling St. Mark's Basilica in Venice).
  • Church of Saint-Étienne-de-la-Cité — the first cathedral, preserving strict Romanesque features and domed ceilings.

Renaissance: The Golden Age of Civil Architecture

In the 15th–16th centuries, after the end of the Hundred Years' War, wealthy merchants and the bourgeoisie began rebuilding medieval dwellings into luxurious mansions. This period gave the historic center its current charm.

• Style: Renaissance.
• Features: Decorative facades, elegant stair towers, inner courtyards, and sculptural decoration.
• Key Objects:
  • House of the Pastry Chef (Maison du Pâtissier) — a famous building with a Renaissance-style door.
  • Hôtel de Sallegourde — a striking example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance.

19th Century: Historicism and Urban Renewal

During this period, the city expanded beyond the medieval walls. Architecture became more solemn, wide boulevards and administrative buildings appeared, symbolizing the power of the republic and empire.

• Style: Neoclassicism, Eclecticism, Historicism.
• Key Objects:
  • Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice) — a severe building in the neoclassical style with columns.
  • Restoration of Saint-Front Cathedral — architect Paul Abadie significantly rebuilt the cathedral in the mid-19th century, reinforcing its "Byzantine" appearance and adding the famous pinnacle turrets.

Modernity: Dialogue of Eras

In the 20th and 21st centuries, architects in Périgueux sought to integrate new buildings into the historical context without disrupting harmony, but using modern materials.

• Style: Modernism, High-tech.
• Key Object:
  • Vesunna Museum (Musée Vesunna) — a project by Jean Nouvel. This is an ultra-modern glass and steel building that "hovers" over the ancient ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa, protecting them and opening a view of the city.

Notable People of Périgueux

The rich history of Périgueux is inextricably linked with the names of people who brought fame to this city in religion, military affairs, art, and politics. Below are key figures who left a noticeable mark on the chronicles of the city and France.

• Saint Front
  Era: 3rd–4th centuries (according to tradition)
  Role: First Bishop of Périgueux and patron saint of the Périgord region.
  Significance: According to legend, he was sent to Gaul by the Apostle Peter to preach Christianity. The city's main cathedral bears his name, becoming an important pilgrimage center on the route to Santiago de Compostela.
• Pierre Daumesnil
  Era: 1776–1832
  Role: General of the Napoleonic army, Baron of the Empire.
  Significance: A native of Périgueux, nicknamed "Wooden Leg" (he lost a leg in the Battle of Wagram). Famous for the heroic defense of the Château de Vincennes in 1814 and 1815. His famous phrase upon refusing to surrender the fortress to the allies: "I will return the fortress when you return my leg," has entered the history of French military valor.
• Léon Bloy
  Era: 1846–1917
  Role: Writer, essayist, and Christian thinker.
  Significance: Born in Périgueux. Known for his passionate and uncompromising style ("The Ungrateful Beggar"). He had a significant influence on the Catholic revival in French literature of the late 19th century and the work of authors such as Georges Bernanos.
• Sem (real name Georges Goursat)
  Era: 1863–1934
  Role: Famous caricaturist and illustrator.
  Significance: Born in Périgueux into a wealthy merchant family. Became one of the most recognizable chroniclers of the "Belle Époque" in Paris, capturing the entire high society of that time in his albums. The Périgueux Museum houses a significant collection of his works.
• Laure Gatet
  Era: 1913–1943
  Role: Biochemist and figure of the French Resistance.
  Significance: Although she was not born in the city itself, her life and struggle are closely linked to Périgueux, where she studied. During World War II, she was a liaison in the "Confrérie Notre-Dame" resistance network. She was arrested and died in Auschwitz. One of the city's high schools is named after her.
• Yves Guéna
  Era: 1922–2016
  Role: Politician, minister, mayor of Périgueux.
  Significance: A participant in the "Free France" movement and an associate of de Gaulle. He served as mayor of Périgueux for over 25 years (1971–1997), significantly modernizing the city. He ended his career as President of the Constitutional Council of France.