Périgueux: the national fireworks on the banks of the Isle
The closest display to Domaine de Pouzelande, about twenty minutes by car. Each year, the Dordogne prefecture fires its display from the banks of the Isle at around 9pm. The river catches the bursts of light and doubles the intensity of the spectacle. In the hours before, the streets around the allées de Tourny fill with concerts and popular dances. The evening is also a fine opportunity to wander through the medieval Cité quarter and past the cathedral of Saint-Front, whose Byzantine domes stand out beautifully against the summer sky.
Hautefort: under the stars and the château
About thirty kilometres north-east of the domaine, the Château de Hautefort commands a landscape of wooded hills and quiet valleys that represents Périgord at its most private. On 14 July, the fireworks are fired over the Étang du Coucou pond below the château. The bursts explode in the sky and reflect on the water, while the silhouette of the château stands outlined behind them. It is one of the most unexpected and most beautiful settings in the whole of Dordogne for the national celebration. The site draws far smaller crowds than Sarlat or Périgueux, which is a real advantage for anyone who wants to enjoy the display without competing for a viewpoint.
Sarlat: the biggest fireworks in the Sarladais
The Sarlat display is the most spectacular in Périgord Noir. It is fired from the fort at 10.30pm and is visible from the Place de la Grande Rigaudie and the medieval lanes surrounding it. The old city, whose pale stones seem to glow even without artificial light, provides an extraordinary setting for the pyrotechnic show. Arrive before 9.30pm to secure a good spot: Sarlat is at the height of its tourist season and the crowds build quickly as the display approaches. A funfair runs in the town from 10 to 15 July, and a popular dance accompanies the evening around the central square.
Domme: the most breathtaking view in Dordogne
From the ramparts of this royal bastide, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, the view over the sweeping bend of the Dordogne river is already, by day, one of the most famous views in France. On the evening of 14 July, when the fireworks burst above the valley and their reflections dance on the river a hundred metres below, the spectacle becomes unforgettable. Arrive early to find your spot on the ramparts and to catch the sunset before darkness falls. Domme is about an hour and fifteen minutes from the domaine.
Bergerac: a party on the quays
Bastille Day in Bergerac gets under way well before the fireworks. At 9pm, a duck race animates the port, followed by the traditional firemen's ball on the quays. The display itself is fired from the Port de Bergerac, Quai Salvette, from 10.30pm. The open setting of the port, looking out over the Dordogne, gives excellent sightlines from both banks. It is a lively and generous evening, in keeping with the character of this town of wine and good food. Bergerac is about an hour from the domaine, and the town is still buzzing three days after welcoming the finish of Tour de France stage 8.
What to know before you go
In Dordogne, July fireworks can be cancelled or postponed if the fire risk is high. Before setting out, check the drought alert level on the Dordogne prefecture website and the official Facebook pages of the relevant towns: these are updated in real time. All the displays listed in this article are free. Book a restaurant well in advance, or plan a picnic: Sarlat and Bergerac in particular fill up quickly on the evening of 14 July.
Plan your stay in the Dordogne
Domaine de Pouzelande, just a few minutes from Périgueux, is well placed to explore Périgord on Bastille Day. Within easy reach of all five sites, it gives you the freedom to choose your evening on the day and pair the national holiday with a few days of discovery in this exceptional part of France.