Bergerac

The old bridge is reflected in the river Dordogne.

When we visited France in July 2013 we took an all day tour with Bergerac Wine Tours and made several stops in this area, including a brief walk to the Maison du Vins in the historic district. It was a busy summer day and we were on a tour schedule so we didn't linger long.

Today we returned to get a better feel for the town. 

There was a big market surrounding the Gothic cathedral and the foods looked beautiful as always. We wandered into the medeival quarter where there is a wealth of historic architecture. The character Cyrano de Bergerac is associated with this town, but there really is no connection. However, because the name is inextricably linked, there is a monument to Cyrano and his giant nose in a pretty square.

I chose a restaurant in advance: La Villa Laetitia, because it was highly rated and the decor was very French and stylish.

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch of pheasant pate' en croute, a salad, then duck breast on a bed of ratatouille, served with frites. A local Pecharmant red paired nicely with lunch.

I have been in France for 6 days and Laetitia is the first restaurant I have gone to on this trip. I am enjoying my new Duras kitchen so much that we have been shopping locally and eating at home each night. 

Bergerac is truly a lovely town and an easy 45-minute trip from Duras.