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Car hire in Bergerac – A Picturesque Town

The picturesque French town of Bergerac is located in southwest France. It is regarded as a must visit for any wine enthusiast and those looking to learn a little about wine production. As an old traditional town, much of its centre is comprised of half-timbered buildings, whilst its countryside contains numerous wondrous castles which you can explore with a car hire in Bergerac. If you’re interested in getting away from the bustling cities, Bergerac with all its beautiful surrounding countryside, hiking, cycling and canoeing opportunities, and lovely museums is a great place to visit.

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How is the traffic in Bergerac?

You shouldn’t encounter much traffic around Bergerac and very little within central locations. Problematic areas include the bridges and some of the old town. Large intersections can also see relatively slower moving traffic. As in all places, it is recommended to try and avoid the rush hour. Heading west along the A89 you will reach Bordeaux in around one hour and a half. Southeast from Bergerac will take you to Toulouse along the N21 and A62. Have a reach of road rules and regulations in France to find out more on driving in the country.

Where can I park my car hire in Bergerac?

Although Bergerac is a small town by comparison to others, there is plenty of central parking opportunities. A total of four free car parks exist, which are ideal for leaving your car rental in Bergerac. One such car park is available at the train station, whilst another is located near the river on Quai Salvette. A further five car parks are available at key locations in the town. These are however not free and charged on an hourly basis. On-street parking is available but in high demand. You should always check for any parking restrictions before parking your vehicle. Any fines incurred will be forwarded to you by the car hire supplier, with an additional administration fee.

Bergerac-Roumanière International Airport

Located around two miles from the town of Bergerac, Bergerac Airport is a key arrival point to the town and region as a whole. This small airport has seen annual passenger figures as high as 277,000 and is served by seasonal flights mainly to the UK. Airlines using this airport include Easyjet, Jet2, Ryanair and Transvania. The airport consists of one main terminal and two runways – one paved and the other unpaved. The car rental suppliers are located next to the arrivals halls, right next to the taxi stands, with rental vehicles being picked up and returned at a designated car rental car parkacross from Departures.

Bergerac-Roumanière Airport (EGC)
Address: Route d'Agen, 24100 Bergerac, France
Website: Bergerac Airport
Telephone: +33 5 53 22 25 25

What to do in Bergerac

Bergerac although small and compact has plenty to see and do for any visitor. Along with its traditional architectural gems, Bergerac also has plenty of museums, monuments, restaurants and exquisite coffee houses to enjoy. Enjoy its shopping district and quaint old town, along with a leisurely cruise along its river. When you rent a car in Bergerac you’ll have the freedom to explore the town as you wish, without the need to be restricted to any local public transport timetables.

• Tobacco Museum: In contrast to what some visitors might think, the Tobacco Museum is not dedicated to promote tobacco itself. Within its walls, this museum contains some unique collections showcasing the impact the tobacco plant has had on societies throughout its 3,000 plus year history. The museum is housed in a splendid 17th Century historical building right in the heart of Bergerac.


• Bergerac Eglise Notre Dame: North of Bergerac old town is the Eglise Notre Dame. Although smaller in stature compared to other well-known Notre Dames, nevertheless inside you’ll be totally amazed by its ceilings, paintings and stained glasses windows. Outside the Notre Dame are small quaint coffee houses and some eateries to enjoy. The church itself is constructed in a Gothic style, with a very large spire and can be easily seen from afar. We recommend visiting on a day when the organs are being played.


• Bergerac Aqua Park: Great for the whole family and those with younger kids, the local Bergerac Aqua Park is a great way for the whole family to enjoy itself. On-site you can hire a box, which includes two sun loungers, table, chairs and plenty of shade. The park itself has a total of four water attractions, a large pool, two kid’s pools and a splash pool for the slides. Wooden benches and tables are provided for those wishing to picnic, whilst a grass area is also available to relax on.


• Chateau Corbiac: If you head north from Bergerac by car you’ll come across Chateau Corbiac, a charming and beautiful chateau dedicated to wine lovers. A guide at the chateau will take you through a wine tasting journey, explaining the different vintages before elaborating more on the chateau’s colourful history. On offer do white, red and rose wines – all of which are available to purchase after your wine tasting event.


• Costi Museum: If you are a lover of sculptures in bronze and plaster, the Costi Museum contains around sixty wonderful exhibits under its beautiful cellar ceiling. This museum showcases the life’s work of Constantin Papachristopoulos, who was taught by Bourdelle – with sculptures created from the late 1920s until the early 1970s. The museum is housed in the Petite mission building, which in itself is very beautiful and traditional.

Best day trips with my car rental in Bergerac

Bergerac’s perfect location in one of France’s main wine producing regions means that much of the surrounding countryside is dedicated to this ancient skill. With a car hire in Bergerac you can not only visit some of its numerous countryside castles, but also take the opportunity to go on some rural hiking trips, or canoeing adventures. We would recommend the following day trips during your visit to Bergerac.

Monbazillac Castle: If you are looking for something a little closer to Bergerac, then why not pay a visit to the 16th Century Monbazillac Castle. Constructed in a Renaissance and Medieval style, this castle is now owned by the Monbazillac winery – and is free to visit. Inside the castle you’ll be able to enjoy a wine and vineyard museum, and a museum of Protestantism. Access is available to the castle cellars and numerous rooms – with some spectacular views towards Bergerac and the Dordogne River.

Issigeac: During your visit to this village, you’ll be immediately transported back to a medieval, Renaissance and Gothic time, through its 13th Century buildings and half-timbered homes. The most visited sites in the village are the “La Maison des Tetes” in Rue de la Saucisse, and the bishops of Sarlat. We highly recommend visiting this village on a Sunday when the local market is at its busiest.

Bridoire Castle: A 15th Century castle located in the Monbazillac vineyards is a great place to visit, especially for those interested in history and culture. Across its fifteen rooms, you’ll be presented with period features and furnishings. Along with an underground prison, you can also visit the King’s room, billiards room, the chapel and a dining room. A key attraction to this castle is the sheer amount of entertaining games on offer – from armour games to crossbow shooting and ski racing, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Maxange Grotto: If you like grottos, then a visit to Maxange Grotto is a good option. Discovered by chance over twenty years ago, this grotto is also known as the “Grotto of Stars”. Regarded as one of the most beautiful French grottos, it has been around 60 million years in the making. Crystallites cover the while ceiling and provide an amazing array of colours across this grottos two caves. On site you’ll also find a shop and a coffee house.

How to get around Bergerac

Public transport options in Bergerac are limited, with very few options available. Due to this many visitors opt for hiring a car at the airport, others decide to utilise the local taxi service. A train station exists in Bergerac itself and provides regional services. In addition, a bus service exists in the town, but again this has limited routes on offer. Trains and buses are however well-maintained and modern.

Bus

There are three bus lines operating in Bergerac with the main bus station located at Place de la Republique. The service is provided by Les Transports Urbains Bergeracois (TUB). For those looking to reach neighbouring towns by bus, these routes are provided on a weekday basis and depart from the main train station. A variety of tickets are available for purchase on-board or at ticket offices conveniently located around town – for example, the Tourist Office. Buses are free every Saturday afternoon. There is no bus service to the airport.

Taxis

Due to the lack of local public transport from Bergerac Airport to the town, taxis provide a much needed link. Official taxis are metred and have a taxi sign upon its roof. They can be caught at a taxi rank or pre-booked. Taxis are a relatively expensive form to explore Bergerac and its surrounding area. We highly recommend confirming your estimated journey cost with the driver before commending your journey.

Train

The town has one main train station that provides regular train links to Bordeaux and Sarlat-la-Caneda. It is located in the centre of Bergerac and can be easily reached on foot. Built in 1875, Bergerac Train Station is located on the Libourne to Buisson railway line. Operations are provided by SNCF (The French National Railway) and TER (Regional Express Transportation) provides the service. Trains are modern and well-maintained, with a regular timetable provided throughout the day. There is no train station at Bergerac Airport.

Useful links

Official Bergerac Tourism Website