IGP Périgord

The Périgord, which is synonymous with the Dordogne department, lies on the 45th parallel. It is a transitional region between the eroded Massif Central and the vast Aquitaine sedimentary basin. It is crossed from northeast to southwest by a network of rivers including the Isle, the Vézère, and their tributaries, but most notably, in the southern part of the department, by the Dordogne.

The Périgord comes in four distinct regions: The Green Périgord in the north corresponds to the first metamorphic terrains of the Massif Central and is an area of arboriculture and livestock farming with significant forest cover; The White Périgord in the center extends over secondary limestone and corresponds to a very open area of cereal crops; The Black Périgord in the east of the department, on marine limestone covered with sandy silt, is a landscape of moors and coppice where walnut and chestnut trees share the space; The Purple Périgord in the southwest, on Tertiary molasse, is a region of viticulture and fruit farming, such as the Ente plum.

The Périgord fully benefits from Atlantic influences in terms of both temperature and precipitation. The temperature gradient decreases from the southwest to the northeast as altitude increases. For precipitation, the opposite is true.