Car Hire in Bergerac

About Bergerac

Bergerac is a town in the Dordogne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France. The town was founded on the Dordogne River. Bergerac was named a City of Art and History by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.

This is a unique town centred around a castle dating back to the 11th century. Throughout history, it has been a staging post for travellers, merchants, pilgrims... In the past, there were many religious conflicts here. Bergerac was the centre of Protestantism for a long time. It was also an important wine region. The export of wine from Bergerac began in the 13th century. Today, this is considered an elite region for the production of some of the most famous French wines.

The river has always been an important transportation route for the people of Bergerac. Boats delivered wine from here to other parts of France thanks to the Dordogne. Today you can kayak, swim, go fishing, etc. at your leisure on this river.

The most beautiful part of Bergerac is undoubtedly the old town. With a maze of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses and many small squares with beautiful fountains in the middle, it is something special.

The scenery around the city is also breathtaking. So if you are planning a stop in Bergerac on a road trip through France, you definitely will not regret it. Maybe stay here for a few days so you can taste all the quality wines and have a good rest before moving on.

Basic info and car hire in Bergerac

• Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. France
• Population: 26,823
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: In Bergerac, the summers are warm, the winters are very cold
• Holidays in Bergerac:   For public holidays in France follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Bergerac are in good condition.
• Car hire in Bergerac:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Bergerac is at Bergerac airport and Bergerac Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Bergerac!

 Driving in Bergerac

In Bergerac, you will be able to drive quite easily. If you pick up your car at Bergerac Airport, you'll have a nice first drive from the airport, which is outside of town, to the center of Bergerac. The roads here are in good condition, so all you have to do is follow the rules and obey all the road signs. The police can be pretty strict here.

When you get to town, it's best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in town and then explore the old town on foot. A car is the best way to explore the area around the town. You will be able to enjoy fantastic scenes around you on the roads around Bergerac. There are many places of interest that you will want to visit. They are all accessible by car, so buckle up and drive safely.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Bergerac

There are many historical sites to visit in Bergerac. Place Pelissier is a beautiful square where the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac stands. Another square that will impress you is the Place de la Mirpur. This small square has a special atmosphere and is surrounded by old half-timbered houses. In the heart of the old town stands the Maison de Vins. A beautiful monastery from the 12th century. Today it hosts many exhibitions throughout the year.

They also have many museums that might interest you. One of them is the Musee du Vin et da la Batellerie, where you can see the old equipment that used to be used for winemaking. Another museum that is worth a visit is the Musee de Tabac. Since this region was known for the production of tobacco, you can learn all about the tobacco industry in this museum. Musee Costi is a museum with a collection of statues by the sculptor Constantin - "Costi" - Papachristpoulos.

There are also two impressive castles here in surrounding of Bergerac, the Château de Lanquais and the Château de Monbazillac. You can visit both and you will be fascinated by the interiors of these architectural masterpieces.

Best restaurants in Bergerac:

Le Vin'Quatre

L'Authentik

Le Bistro D'en Face

D'un Terroir a l'Autre

Empreinte

Le Kristo