Périgord Houses

Périgord is a historic province of France covering parts of Aquitaine, Midi Pyrenees and Limousin. Today the Périgord corresponds more or less to the current Dordogne department.

• Green Périgord, around the town of Nontron. The name originates from the oak forests and “wet” meadows that can be found all around.
• White Périgord, around Périgueux and the Quercy. The name originates from the calcareous soil of this area.
• Black Périgord, around Sarlat-la-Canéda. The name originates from the dark oaks forests and from many truffles that can be found in the area.
• Purple Périgord, around Bergerac. Its name originates from the tourism since this area is popular. It reflects the local wine production.

Near Nontron, Granite is foremost used in the construction of houses. In the Ribérac area and central Périgord, calcareous materials are preferred such as sandstone and schist.

The roofs are accordingly made up of different types of materials: slate roofs are common in the Eastern part of the department, Lauze (flat stones) are widespread in the area around Sarlat whilst tiles are common in the white Périgord, and so on… Sloping roofs are characteristic of Perigord classic houses, and flat materials are used in most cases (see image below).

Sloping roofs are common amongst Perigord Houses

These materials are predominantly used in Perigord but usage of other materials is also common.

Like in many other French regions, the type and size of Périgord houses depend upon the wealth and social position of the original inhabitants.

Many longeres can be found, along with outbuildings like barns, cowsheds or stables. Houses were often modified to be able to welcome two types of “inhabitants”: the farmers' family and the livestock.

SEARCH FOR AN AQUITAINE PROPERTY:
Dordogne property	Gironde property
Landes property	Lot et Garonne property
Pyrénées-Atlantiques property

• Next: Aquitaine Basque Country Properties
• Summary of Aquitaine Traditional Houses