Perigueux - La Source (1980)  
   
Rue de l
   
   
Avenue Georges Pompidou. The old Paris Road, now superseded by the road that passes through Tr�lissac.
   
   

   
   
The Mairie of Champcevinel, part of the CAP - the Communaute de lAgglomoration Perigourdine - the metropolitan area centered around Perigueux. It is in effect a quiet, quasi rural suburb of Perigueux. The town has a population of 2,650 and an area of 1,830 hectares (18.3 sq kilometres). If you are visiting the Perigueux area and have young children to entertain, there is a stable in the modest old chateau where you can take a little pony out for a walk (one adult per pony and child) along an unmarked circuit that takes you along a country road, through a small section of forest and finaly back down to the stables past the municipal tennis courts and playing fields. The town is situated on the hills to the north of Perigueux, between the Roman road and the old Paris road.
   

Périgueux's Roman Past

The Roman settlement, a little to the west of the original Gallic settlement was an important centre. Baths, an aqueduct, a 20,000 seat amphitheatre and a large temple were constructed.

Little now remains of the Roman town, the city walls shown on the map below have all but disapeared, however the following sites can be visited:


1. The Amphitheatre
The ruined remains are now a pretty public park - Jardin des Arènes

2. The City Gates and Roman House
Next to the Chateau Barrière, between the Amphitheatre and the tower

3. Musée Gallo-Romain
Not to be missed is the relatively recent addition, the Musée Gallo-Romain de Périgueux is built over the remains of a Roman Villa – the Domus de Vésone, originally discovered in 1959.

4. The Tour de Vésone
About 30 m high and 22m in diameter, itself but a part of the temple



The tower of Vesunna

TheVesunna Museum is situated next to it.

A few hundred meters away are the remains of the amphitheatre. There still remain huge fragments of wall and vaulting which may be as old as the 3rd or even the 2nd century.

 
 

The Amphitheatre in Perigueux was capable of seating up to 20,000 spectators, an indication of the size and importance of the town and its location in Roman times. The reamins now serve as a pleasent city centre park.



The Vesunna Museum of Gallo-Roman history in Perigueux is unique in Aquitaine for its design, built over the remains of the Roman Domus (home) which is the centrepiece of its display.
 
 


design, text and photographs © ROB