Bergerac

We have not set ourselves a strict definition of Bergerac as an area, rather we've found postcards that are of interest and are in our concept of the Bergerac area.

Events

Inondation (1904)

The Dordogne is subject to regular flooding, 1904 was one of the worst years on record. The flooding started on the 8th February and continued at least to the 18th, as shown by the date on our postcard.

Exposition Nationale (1908)

Move on a few years and in 1908 we find Bergerac hosting an Exposition Nationale. This took place between the 23rd May and the 5th July 1908 and was held in what is now the Place de la République.

Visit of President Poincaré (1913)

Our next event is the visit of President Poincaré to Bergerac on 15th September 1913. It was the end of his visit to the Dordogne, after which he carried on through Lot-et-Garonne and then onto Bordeaux.

Concert for Refugees (1915)

Bergerac took in a number of refugees from the fighting in the north of the country and Belgium.

The town

Bergerac’s population today is around 26,000. This compares to 16,000 in 1901. The postcards show how it was then an important market town. Obviously it still is today but the specialist markets (like the pig market) are long gone.

The Dordogne

The Dordogne played an important role in the commerce of Bergerac. From the postcards it can be seen that Bergerac’s port was a proper working port and not just, as is today, a tourist destination for river trips.

The Gardens

The gardens must have been a popular spot in the past as a number of postcards exist.

Hotels

An overnight sojourn could see us staying at the Hotel de Bordeaux in Place Gambetta or the now non-existent Hotel de Londres et des Voyageurs (location unknown).

Beysse

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