Bergerac (French pronunciation: [bɛʁʒəʁak] ; Occitan: Brageirac [braˈzɛjra]) is a subprefecture of the Dordogne department, in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Southwestern France. In 2018, the commune had a population of 26,823, which made it the department's second-most populated after the prefecture Périgueux. Located on the banks of the river Dordogne, Bergerac was designated a Town of Art and History by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.

In 1565, Charles IX of France visited Bergerac during his grand tour.

On 17 September 1577, amidst the French Wars of Religion, the Treaty of Bergerac, also known as the Peace of Bergerac (French: Paix de Bergerac), was signed between Henri III of France and Protestants to put a temporary end to the conflict. The treaty was negotiated by important figures on each side of the conflict, namely Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy and Armand de Gontaut, baron de Biron on the King's side and François de la Noue and François, Duke of Montpensier on the Protestant side.

Bergerac, which was a site where members of the French Resistance in Dordogne were incarcerated and interrogated during World War II, was freed from German occupation on 21 August 1944.

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1793 11,720 —     1800 8,544 −4.41% 1806 8,665 +0.23% 1821 8,044 −0.49% 1831 8,557 +0.62% 1836 9,285 +1.65% 1841 10,102 +1.70% 1846 9,873 −0.46% 1851 10,402 +1.05% 1856 10,875 +0.89% 1861 12,116 +2.18% 1866 12,123 +0.01% 1872 11,699 −0.59% 1876 13,120 +2.91% 1881 15,042 +2.77% 1886 14,353 −0.93% 1891 14,735 +0.53% 1896 15,642 +1.20%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1901 15,936 +0.37% 1906 15,623 −0.40% 1911 16,162 +0.68% 1921 17,041 +0.53% 1926 16,593 −0.53% 1931 17,520 +1.09% 1936 18,902 +1.53% 1946 22,525 +1.77% 1954 23,622 +0.60% 1962 25,185 +0.80% 1968 27,165 +1.27% 1975 27,764 +0.31% 1982 26,832 −0.49% 1990 26,899 +0.03% 1999 26,053 −0.35% 2007 27,601 +0.72% 2012 27,972 +0.27% 2017 26,833 −0.83%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968–2017)

With climate change, Bergerac's climate has varied. A study carried out in 2014 by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate predicts that the average temperature should increase and the average rainfall decrease.

The region is primarily known for wine and tobacco. It has twelve recognised wine AOCs (appellations d'origine contrôlée):

• Bergerac
• Bergerac Rosé
• Bergerac Sec (dry)
• Côtes-de-Bergerac
• Côtes de Bergerac Blanc
• Côtes de Montravel
• Montravel (red and white)
• Haut-Montravel
• Saussignac
• Monbazillac
• Pécharmant
• Rosette

Bergerac is home to a population of immigrant British. This trend is not unique to Bergerac and is evident throughout the Dordogne. In part, this is driven by house prices which are very affordable when compared with either the French or British national averages. The increasing British presence has led to some integration initiatives such as the non-profit Université du Temps Libre which offers French language classes and a programme of cultural activities; mainly to increase assimilation.

The town has a growing tourism industry. The region's association with wines is also a key motivating factor for much tourism with wine tours, chateau visits and a wine house by the river which features an exhibition on the history of wine growing. Nearby sites for tourists include the Arboretum de Podestat, Château de Monbazillac, the town museum, statue museum, and tobacco museum. The church of Notre Dame is located in the town centre. The Dordogne River is also a significant tourist attraction for river boat tours and kayak rental.

The town contains two statues of Cyrano de Bergerac, subject of a famous eponymous play by Edmond Rostand. An old stone statue stands on Place de la Myrpe, facing Place du Docteur Cayla. A newer statue, painted in colour and standing on a stainless steel pedestal, has been erected on Place Pélissière .

Bergerac is served by Bergerac-Roumanière Airport (code EGC), which has internal flights, as well as routes to UK airports including Southampton, Bristol, Manchester, East Midlands, London Luton, Edinburgh, Exeter, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and London Stansted Airport. Transavia also flies to Bergerac from Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Bergerac has an SNCF station with regular services to Bordeaux and Sarlat-la-Canéda. A weekday bus service operates between Bergerac and Périgueux, mainly serving student commuters.

Bergerac is located within the Bordeaux Académie, which covers the entire former Aquitaine region. The main high school is Lycée Maine de Biran. Other high schools in the town include the private school Institution Sainte-Marthe Saint-Front, Lycée Jean Capelle and Lycée Professionnel de l'Alba.

Bergerac, Dordogne is twinned with:

• Communes of the Dordogne department
• Elias Burneti of Bergerac

• Official website
• Bergerac airport