During this time, the Atlantic coast, and indeed the Dordogne, became a popular spot for wealthy Parisians to take a vacation. But, like his uncle, he embroiled France in various costly wars – the people revolted, and France’s third, and final, Republic was declared in 1870.ĭespite a difficult start, the Third Republic ushered in the glittering belle epoque (beautiful age), with art-nouveau architecture and impressive advances in science and engineering, including the construction of France’s first metro line in Paris. Napoleon’s nephew was initially proclaimed president, but he led a coup d’etat and proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon III of the Second Empire in 1851. However, Napoleon was ultimately exiled to the island of St Helena, and the Second Republic was declared in 1848. A young Corsican general named Napoleon Bonaparte assumed power as Consul of the First Empire in 1799. The casualties were severe Louis XVI and his wife were publicly executed – the reign of terror between September 1793 and July 1974 saw churches closed, cathedrals turned into “Temples of Reason,” and thousands incarcerated in dungeons in Paris’ Conciergerie before being beheaded.īut the Republic was not to last. In September 1792, France’s First Republic was declared by the radical Jacobins led by Robespierre, Danton, and Marat. However, the ascendancy of the Roi Soleil (Sun King) Louis XIV did not help their cause a staunch Catholic, he revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, which had guaranteed the Huguenots many civil and political rights, notably freedom of conscience. At the time, the Dordogne area was a mighty stronghold of Huguenot resistance, along with the coastal city of La Rochelle. Sadly, the Wars of Religion between the Catholics and Huguenots (French Protestants who received help from the English) saw much bloodshed across the region. Meanwhile, a burgeoning wealthy rural elite built over a thousand chateaux, manor, and country houses. The 16th and 17th centuries were hardly a more stable time for the inhabitants of Perigueux, yet the quieter periods saw a flourishing of impressive architecture indeed, some of the most beautiful Gothic and Renaissance residences were built in Perigueux. However, it was not until 1453 that the English were almost entirely driven from French territory (except for Calais). Eventually, after a seemingly endless struggle and bloody fighting, French Monarch Charles VII marched triumphantly into Paris in 1437. It marked the frontier between the French and English forces during the Hundred Years’ War the area is sometimes known as the ‘Land of 1001 Chateaux’ thanks to its abundance of historic castles. Little is known about Perigueux during this period – the next crucial historical event occurred in 1152, when Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry of Anjou, bringing a further third of France under the English crown’s control – including the Dordogne and its towns and cities.
However, despite the fall of the Roman Empire, the Merovingians adopted many aspects of Gallo-Roman culture, including the Christian religion. After that, France fell under the control of the Frankish Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties their reign lasted for over four centuries. In the 5th century, ongoing pressure from rival powers caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476. Yet Roman rule in France was ultimately not to endure. It was also heavily fortified to offer stiff resistance against an opposing army. Strategically important and prosperous, it embellished with many civic amenities, including temples, baths, amphitheaters, and a forum. By the end of the third century AD, Perigueux (or Versunna, to give it its Roman name) was among the most important cities in Roman Gaul. Initially occupied by Gallic tribes, the settlement was occupied by the Romans during their conquest of Gaul.
Historically, there has been a settlement on the site of present-day Perigueux for over 200 years.
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