December 11th, 2009 | 
Author: Visitors to the Dordogne will have plenty of opportunities to get into the festive spirit this weekend as the region’s major towns play host to grottos and Christmas markets.
French holiday makers and locals alike can take part in the festivities at Perigeuex, Bergerac and Sarlat over the coming weekend. As well as dozens of opportunities to hear seasonal music, sample seasonal and regional delicacies, and for children to meet Father Christmas, each town will host a market offering plenty of gift ideas for those back home.
In Perigeux over 20 wooden chalets have been built in the Francheville square. They will open their shutters this Saturday and remain open until the new year, from half eleven till seven pm every day. A Christmas atmosphere seems certain to be in effect as no matter the weather, visitors to Perigeux will be treated to snowflakes and each day at five pm the Mayor will illuminate the many Christmas lights that have been placed around the town.
As well as the opportunity to feast upon mulled wine and hot chestnuts, the town is hosting its first ever ice skating rink and a variety of activities for children.
Visitors can use the ice rink from 1300 to 1830 on the 12th and 13th of December for 5 euros an hour. The rink will remain open all week though opening times will differ throughout the week, with the last session on the 17th between 5pm and 9pm.
Children will be able to play for free on a giant chessboard or at medieval style games, as well as enjoy a trampoline for the same 5 euros p/h price as the ice rink. Periguex’s local theatre troupe will also offer free performances of “The Snow Queen and The Goblin” on Saturday, and the Vertigo Theatre Company will perform “Mister Christmas” on Wednesday the 16th.
Meanwhile the town of Bergerac is also offering its 5th annual covered Christmas market. This will run until boxing day in the Lattre De Tassigny, which has been decorated with dozens of festive cartoons.
Bergerac is also hosting several forms of holiday entertainment to visitors. On the opening Saturday visitors will be given a free ride into town on Santa’s very own train. Around the town itself, Bergerac’s rollerskating club will be dressed as goblins and will cavort across its streets throughout the weekend.
Later in the day the public will help decorate the Christmas trees surrounding the marketplace, and at 6pm the town choir will perform carols, hymns and festive songs to ring in the holiday cheer.
Sarlat may be last but it can hardly be said to be least; a Christmas village of around 40 cottages and its very own ski rink puts the market town in direct competition with its larger neighbour, Perigeux.
Here, the festivities will run until the 3rd of January and the rink will be open every day, though times will differ throughout the week. It will cost 4 euros an hour for both children and adults. On both days of this weekend Sarlat will host an ice skating show at 6pm, as well as a display of acrobatics and juggling in the marketplace between 3pm and 5:30pm.
Sarlats market will open at 10am this Saturday, graced by the presence of Santa and his elves. Old saint nicholas has even established his own dedicated postbox in the square of la Grande Rigaud, letting children post their Christmas wishes straight to him even if they are on holiday.
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