Find your new life
Located in Dordogne, in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, Bergerac is renowned for its charming historic center and internationally acclaimed vineyards. However, it is above all a unique living environment in a peaceful and green France. As a city of art and history, rich in high-end gastronomy, breathtaking landscapes, and very affordable real estate offerings, Bergerac today attracts many retirees seeking a gentler life, closer to nature, in the pure spirit of the southwest!
It’s official: Bergerac has earned the “cities where life is good” label, adding to its “city of art and history” accolade! This is a great victory for this city, which continues to attract more and more new residents to its green and peaceful region.
Bergerac is located in the southwest of France, in the Dordogne department, about 2 hours from Bordeaux. The department itself is divided into four tourist regions: Périgord Noir, Périgord Vert, Périgord Blanc, and Périgord Pourpre (also known as Bergeracois), with Bergerac being the main city, even the capital! The city is situated amid vineyards that stretch for kilometers around the center. Among these is the famous Monbazillac, a wine estate that today produces one of the most renowned wines in the department.
Like many towns and villages in Dordogne, Bergerac boasts a rich history, evident in its architecture and historic city center. This preserved history can be found throughout its region, with a multitude of small medieval villages, English bastides, and perched castles! Settling in Bergerac means surrounding oneself with a rich heritage that takes you straight to the heart of French history.
Périgourdine gastronomy is among the most prized in France: here, local products rank among the most luxurious in the country! Truffles, foie gras, caviar, duck, game, snails, and porcini mushrooms are the pride of local producers, who will gladly introduce you to their exceptional products at markets and renowned restaurants.
Did you know that the Bergerac vineyard stretches all around the city and into 93 municipalities? This represents 12,000 hectares of vines and 1,200 growers! The region produces, among others, Bergerac, a dry white, rosé, and red wine, Monbazillac, a globally renowned sweet wine, and Côte-de-Montravel, a smooth, sweet white wine.
Between verdant plains, lush forests, the river, endless vineyards, cliffs, and perched villages, the landscapes here are as diverse as they are spectacular. These landscapes are even more appealing as they offer numerous outdoor activities! Cycling, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, golf... the region is full of activities for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Each trail offers a spectacular view of valleys, forests, fortresses, and villages that punctuate the panorama. To combine landscape and gastronomy, don't hesitate to take a tour of the Périgord Pourpre wine route!
In addition to all its aforementioned advantages, Bergerac has a major benefit: real estate prices remain very affordable! Although they have increased between 2021 and 2023, prices are generally below the French average, making it easier to own property or offering the opportunity to buy larger homes.
Bergerac and its region offer a diverse market. Here, you will find as many apartments or townhouses as wine estates or castles! But what attracts most people to the area are the stone country houses and longères, with the timeless charm of the southwest.
Choosing the right neighborhood to buy a property in Bergerac is crucial to fully enjoy everything the city and the region have to offer. Each neighborhood has its own character: the city center neighborhoods, particularly the Old Town of Bergerac, Promenade Pierre Loti, Rue des Chênes, and Rue Waldeck-Rousseau, are especially sought after for their pleasant living environment and direct proximity to all amenities. Outside the city center, the neighborhoods of Sainte Foy des Vignes, Toutifaut, and Chemin du Perrier are also popular among buyers. But that’s not all: many buyers, especially foreigners, seek homes in medieval villages. Eymet, Lalinde, Cadouin, and Issigeac attract numerous English speakers looking for their dream home.
Tourism plays a very important role in Bergerac's economy, attracting visitors from all over the world to discover its wines, heritage, and festivals. This influx of tourists offers numerous opportunities for rental investments, with a constant demand for short-term accommodations.
Moreover, the city benefits from a dynamic local economy, supported by sectors such as agriculture, commerce, and services. Local initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and regional products further enhance this economic vitality, providing a stable and prosperous environment for real estate investments.
The landscapes, cities, and gastronomy... all these qualities attract many foreign nationals seeking a green environment and the French way of life. The largest group among them are the English, historically linked to the region, who find a gentle lifestyle and much more affordable real estate than in England. This large, tight-knit community, found notably in Bergerac or Eymet, allows for easy integration into this rural region of France. Many English-speaking businesses have also opened their doors, allowing the English to visit the tea room or the bookstore as if they were still across the Channel!
These foreign communities have also developed thanks to the region's great accessibility, with its international airport regularly serving London, Southampton, Bristol, as well as Rotterdam and Brussels.
Many French (and foreigners, therefore) choose the Bergerac region for their retirement. This new life is explained by a desire to reconnect with nature, in a slower and more community-oriented lifestyle. The price of real estate obviously plays a significant role in this choice, with houses being twice as affordable as in the neighboring department!
Living in Bergerac means choosing to settle in a city with authentic charm, where history, culture, and nature come together to offer an exceptional quality of life. Its advantageous geographical location allows you to fully enjoy the riches of the Périgord region while being well connected to the surrounding major cities. By settling here, you will discover a welcoming and dynamic community, where local life is punctuated by events and traditions that make every day unique.
Whether you are looking to buy a secondary residence, find your dream retirement home, or simply enjoy a pleasant living environment, Bergerac is an ideal destination. We invite you to come and discover for yourself everything Bergerac has to offer. Take the time to visit its neighborhoods, meet its residents, and soak up the unique atmosphere of this city. For an even more enriching experience, do not hesitate to contact a local real estate agency that will guide you and help you find the property that meets your expectations!
