RIBÉRAC
Ribérac is a lively town in west Dordogne, located centrally between Limoges, Angoulème, Bordeaux, Begerac and Brive, all within 1 - 1.5 hours away. It is only 30 minutes away from Périgueux, capital of Dordogne. It is located in Périgord Vert, a much quieter part of the Dordogne department and far from the busy summer crowds to the south.
Dating from the 9th century and set in the Dronne valley, Ribérac is at its best on a Friday, market day for reputedly the biggest market in Périgord. Small in number, but Ribérac itself has some very interesting sights to visit. And from Ribérac some very interesting villages and towns are a stone's throw away.
HISTORY
In 848, the Normans sailed up the Dronne to plunder the abbey of Brantôme, which was located upstream. On the initiative of the count of Périgord and Angoumois, a defence structure (a castellarium) was built at a ford in the river. Around the year 1000, when the Normans no longer posed a threat, Alchier le Sourd, lord of the Castellarium of Ribérac, built Ribérac Castle on the hill where the cemetery now stands. After the wars of religion, the castle was in a terrible state. It was completely destroyed in the 19th century. In 1800 Ribérac became a sub-prefecture, a status it retained until 1926. Many buildings from the 19th century - including the maison de maître from 1840 that Repos à Ribérac is situated in - bear witness to this period, during which the city continued to expand, as it still does today.
NOTRE DAME
DE LA PAIX
In the town are two interesting churches. The 20th century Notre Dame de la Paix church was built in 1934 in neo-Roman style and has attractive slate domes. It is very much in the same style as the much bigger cathedral of Périgueux.
Inside the church has windows by Francis Chigot and paintings by J.P. Laurens and Barnouvin.
FRIDAY MARKET
Ribérac is at its best on a Friday, market day for reputedly the biggest market in Périgord. The Friday morning market in Ribérac is one of the largest in the Périgord and brings in producers from all around. This year round morning market is from 07:00 to 12:30 every Friday morning in the centre of town.
The market is much smaller in autumn and winter time, but by then it has an additional truffle market in the old Palais de Justice. Be early though, if you want any, as the available truffles tend to sell out rather quickly.
BROCANTE &
VIDE GRENIERS
Say France and you say brocante and so called vide greniers. Every village and every town has one. Some more regularly than others. Throughout the year you'll find one every 3rd Sunday of the month on the town square. A much bigger brocante market can be found every 1st Sunday of the month in Verteillac, just a 10 minute drive up north from Ribérac. This one is huge with dozens of stands spread over town, attracting lots of people from the area. If you are into a good deal on authentic furniture, decoration, books, glassware, toys, you name it, you definitely have to visit one of the brocante markets in the area.
CINEMA
Fancy a film? The Max Linder cinema is a municipal service and is open every day. It is a 5 minute walk away from Repos à Ribérac.
The Max Linder cinema has a capacity of 310 seats. The cinema has a 9-metre wide screen and a digital sound and image system. More than 170 films are shown every year. The programme includes international blockbusters, popular French films and arthouse films. Check the website for the current programme.
.
EXPOSITIONS
Throughout the year, there are various places in Ribérac that show expositions or organise cultural events of various kinds. You can find them in the Centre Culturel at Rue Notre Dame, in the Mediateque Municipale at the town square, the Max Linder Cinema, the Centre Culturel André Malraux or at other temporary venues. Check the local agenda to see what is on during your stay.
MAIRIE
The town hall of Ribérac is a beauty. One rarely encounters a town hall - or 'mairie' as they call it in France - more beautiful than this one. It is well worth to walk over from our B&B and have a look. It is located near the town centre, with a gorgeous park-like garden surrounding the building.
A former sub-prefecture from 1801 to 1926, the commune was the capital of the canton of Ribérac, then in 2015, became its centralising office. Ribérac town hall is the birthplace in the 12th century of one of the most famous troubadours, Arnaut Daniel.
COLLEGIALE DE NOTRE DÂME
The Collegiale of Notre Dame dates back to the 12th century and was once the chapel of the chateau in Ribérac. Sadly the chateau was destroyed in the 13th century. Inside are some excellent wall paintings from the 17th century and windows by Henri Guérin.
The church is found on the eastern side of the town centre behind the Notre Dame de la Paix church. They are linked by the Rue Notre Dame but also by a pleasant path called the Chemin des Abeilles, path of the bees, and which goes past a garden dedicated to encouraging bees, the Jardin des Abeilles.
WHAT'S ON
Throughout the year there are numerous events in Ribérac and the surrounding area. From beer fests to concerts on the town square, from expositions to carnaval, from local sports matches to cycling and hiking to gastronomical events. Always good to keep a close eye on what's on in Ribérac at the time you stay here. Most of the information can be found at the Office du Tourisme on the town square.