IN PICTURES – The magic of Christmas takes hold in Dordogne, the lights and the market return to Périgueux

People came to see the magic of Christmas take hold in Périgueux on Friday November 29. At 6:10 p.m., the eyes of 300 spectators lit up at the same time as the huge tree at the Yves Guena roundabout started to shine. With green, red, white and gold garlands, teddy bears and nutcracker machines, this 2024 edition is tinged with a vintage atmosphere, in traditional Christmas colors. A desire from the town hall for its theme “Once Upon a Christmas”in homage to the sixty years of the twinning of Périgueux with the town of Amberg in Germany.

Christmas lights in traditional holiday colors: gold, green, white and red. © Radio France –
Salome Pineda

Visitors and tourists amazed

Mariah Carey in the background, Roberto, films the entire scene from the countdown to the lighting of the tree. This tourist from San Francisco is amazed, having come to Périgueux for the first time to visit family. “The tree is beautiful! Very cute little town. Great work! I love the fact that people came to enjoy the moment. It's a really cute place, I would love to come back.”

Parents and children had to queue for around ten minutes to access the Christmas Bubbles. © Radio France –
Salome Pineda

On Place André Maurois, behind the carousel, the queue to enter “Les Bulles de Noël” goes all the way to the carousel. Rama, cuddly toy under her arm, was one of the first lucky ones to discover what was there. “It was so good!”smiles the four and a half year old. His mother, Ndella, takes him here every year and this time, she played it strategic.“We ran to get there quickly!”she blurted out with a laugh, still out of breath from her sprint. Around them, automatons, candy canes and even bears playing guitar. Paul, six years old, walks forward with his hands behind his back and acts as a guide. “Here, these are lions, they look like the Christmas decorations from Canada where there are my sister and my cousin!”

The little ones were amazed by all the decorations “you'd think you were at the North Pole” according to Matéo 4 years old. © Radio France –
Salome Pineda

Practical information

Opening of the Christmas Bubbles from Saturday November 30, 2024 to Saturday January 4, 2025. Closed on December 25 and January 1.

Hours during the school term:

from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Hours during holidays: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

The Christmas marketIt opens this Saturday, November 30, Place Bugeaud until Saturday, January 4, 2025. Closed on December 25 and January 1.

Schedules :

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and Sundays
from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, December 22

The Christmas market opens from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. © Radio France –
Salome Pineda

Return from the rink

The ice rink is also back. She had been reconfigured in 2023 to consume less energy. The device costs a total of 60,000 euros. With the mild weather of November (16° expected in the afternoon this first weekend), Mayor Delphine Labail recognizes that it is not a question of “one of the most ecological tools.“But the councilor assumes this choice in the name of a strong demand from the population “There is such a desire among children and families to get together to mark the start of winter with this ice rink. Fortunately we have very cold nights, which allows us to cool the system and therefore recover a ice quality.”