Mercure Périgueux: Your Dream French Getaway Awaits!
Mercure Périgueux: My Honest (and Slightly Rambling) Review - Is This REALLY Your Dream French Getaway?
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Mercure Périgueux and, well, I've got THINGS to say. And they might not always be pretty, but hey, that's life, right? Forget the polished press releases – this is the real deal. Think less “perfectly curated influencer post” and more “slightly frazzled travel blogger spilling their guts… and maybe a bit of croissant crumb.”
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Getting There & Accessibility – A Mixed Bag… Honestly.
Landing in Dordogne feels like stepping into a postcard. The airport transfer was smooth enough (thank god for the taxi service!), but the elevator in the Mercure… let's just say it's seen better days. It's functional, mind you, but the juddering ascent made me question if I'd packed too much luggage (I probably had).
Accessibility: Okay, this is where things get a little…complicated. The hotel facilities for disabled guests exist, and they claim to be wheelchair accessible (which is, you know, a big tick box for a lot of people). HOWEVER, I didn't personally need those services, so I can't vouch for how truly accessible they are. Worth checking with the hotel directly about specific needs, especially if you're relying on it. Don’t just blindly trust a website! Ask details, people!
The Room – Ah, The Room. My Fortress of Solitude (Mostly).
Okay, my room. It had an air conditioner that actually worked, bless it. (A HUGE win in the French summer, let me tell you.) And the free Wi-Fi? Solid signal. I could actually work - Laptop workspace, baby! The Internet access – wireless was great. I liked the complimentary tea. The mini bar was stocked (a few too many mini bottles of something I couldn't quite identify though…), and the bathroom phone was a nice touch (though I never actually used it). It had that classic "hotel room ambiance," which is to say, functional but not necessarily soul-stirring. The blackout curtains were a godsend for battling the early sun. The extra-long bed was appreciated, since I'm tall-ish. The non-smoking aspects are important (I’m a non-smoker), and the soundproofing kept out some of the street noise – but some is the key word. I also liked the on-demand movies. A big advantage in the room was the bathtub, shower and additional toilet.
Cleanliness & Safety – The Germaphobe’s Delight (Mostly).
Listen, in a pandemic world, cleanliness is top of my list. And the Mercure Périgueux, thankfully, seemed to get it. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol are all music to my obsessive-compulsive ear drums. The hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, and the individually wrapped food options were a nice touch. There was also a first aid kit. Sterilizing equipment was probably used. The safe dining setup was reassuring. I appreciated the room sanitization opt-out available as well. I felt safe enough – which is a huge deal.
Food, Glorious Food (With a Few Hiccups)
Let's talk about the restaurant – a must-have. Breakfast was the typical French spread. The breakfast [buffet] was plentiful, with Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options (they actually did a decent scrambled egg!). I especially liked the coffee/tea in restaurant. But, here's a confession… the coffee shop coffee was better. The breakfast service was friendly (but a little stretched at peak times – a common thing, I suppose).
A-La-carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, desserts in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant, salad in restaurant, soup in restaurant available..
Things to Do (And Ways to Relax) – Spa-Tacular or Just OK?
Okay, the spa. Pool with view, swimming pool, spa/sauna. Those words got me VERY excited. And the swimming pool [outdoor] was seriously stunning. The sauna was also pretty great. There were massage options. Unfortunately, I had a scheduling conflict and a body scrub went untouched. The Fitness center was fine, the gym/fitness looked okay.
Overall Vibe – Good, But Not “Perfectly Instagrammable.”
The Mercure Périgueux is a solid choice. It's convenient, generally clean, with decent service and enough perks to make your stay comfortable. The location is a huge plus – walking distance to a lot of Périgueux's charms. It’s a good base from which to explore the Dordogne.
The Verdict: Is This Your Dream French Getaway?
Here’s the honest truth: the Mercure Périgueux is a great choice if you value comfort, a convenient location, and a reliable set of amenities. It's not a luxury hotel, but it's a very comfortable and safe place to base your adventures. It's a good place to relax. And it has a lot going for it. It's a good place to bring a family… But if you're looking for a truly unique or "dream-like" experience, you might want to explore other options.
Quirks & Quirks:
- I swear I saw the same waiter every morning, and he never seemed to sleep. French work ethic, people!
- The gift shop had some seriously bizarre souvenirs. Mostly, I just got a key ring and a postcard, but now I have a memory.
- The elevator… did I mention the elevator?
A Compelling (and slightly sarcastic) Offer:
Escape to Périgueux! Ditch the Ordinary. Embrace the Mercure (and Maybe a Few Crumbles in Your Bed).
Tired of the same old vacation? Ready for a dose of French charm without the stuffy pretension? Then come to Périgueux and discover the Mercure!
Book your stay at the Mercure Périgueux NOW and receive:
- Free Wi-Fi! (Because, let's be honest, you can’t really disconnect in this day and age).
- A Clean Room Guaranteed! (We'll even offer an opt-out to ensure you get the cleaning level you prefer).
- Access to a Beautiful Outdoor Pool! (Where you can soak up the sun and pretend you're totally sophisticated).
- A solid breakfast to get you started each morning!
- And, most importantly, a base from which to explore the stunning Dordogne!
Click the link, book your stay, and prepare for an adventure that might be perfect… and definitely memorable. Don’t worry about the small stuff. Embrace the beautiful imperfections of this region. The Mercure Périgueux is waiting… and so is your French escape!
Bali's BEST Kept Secret: Stunning 1BR Kuta Retreat (NE81A)!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your perfectly-coiffed travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-off-kilter experience of ME trying to "do" Perigueux, France… from the Mercure. Consider yourself warned.
Mercure Perigueux Centre: A Slightly-Too-Comfy Basecamp (and a few existential crises)
Day 1: Arrival & The Case of the Missing Croissant (And My Identity – Maybe?)
- 14:00: Arrived at the Mercure. Honestly? It's… fine. Perfectly… fine. Which is a problem. I'm a person who craves chaos, not beige, vaguely-corporate-chic. The lobby smells faintly of lemon Pledge and quiet desperation. Oh God, am I turning into a beige person? This is the existential crisis of the trip, folks.
- 14:30: Check-in. Smooth (too smooth!). The receptionist, a woman with eyes that have, I suspect, seen things, hands me my key card. "Bon séjour, Madame." I manage a weak smile. Bon séjour, she says. Like I'm already enjoying myself. Oh, I will, madam. Oh, I will.
- 15:00: Room exploration. Ah, the obligatory "check everything works" ritual. Fridge… check. TV… check. Ah… French channels… this will be fun. The air conditioning, thank goodness, is working. Because I'm already sweating from the thought of being… beige.
- 15:30: The Great Croissant Debacle. Okay, I went downstairs to the "terrace" (read: area with some tables outside the lobby) to grab a pastry and get my daily croissant fix. Found a tray, but no croissants. No croissants?! Where were the flaky, buttery, golden-brown beauties? I asked the receptionist. She responded, with a shrug, "They are… gone." Gone?! It's, like, barely afternoon!. This is a sign that my croissant addiction isn't working, this is a sign of the end times.
- 16:00: I wander aimlessly around the hotel for an hour, and trying to find something…anything…to eat. I'm starting to get hangry.
- 17:00: Okay, I've sucked it up and I'm going to search for croissants outside the hotel. Armed with my phone, my terrible French, and a desperate hope, I set out to find sustenance, and possibly, reclaim my soul.
- 18:30: Found a decent boulangerie! Croissant acquired. Crisis averted. I devour it on a bench, watching the world go by. The French people are looking at me, I'm probably covered in crumbs. Okay, I've regained some composure.
- 19:00: Back to the hotel. Planning a very simple strategy for the rest of the trip: find food, eat food, possibly see some buildings.
- 20:00: Dinner at a local bistro, chez whatever-the-name-was. Steak frites. Basic, but delicious. French wine, of course. I'm feeling… slightly less beige.
- 22:00: Back at the hotel. Decide to skip the French TV. Try to organize my notes, fail magnificently. Fall into a deep, croissant-fueled slumber.
Day 2: The Perigord Noir (and my love-hate relationship with history)
- 08:00: Breakfast at the hotel. And guess what? Croissants! Revenge is a dish best served… with butter and jam. I load up. I'm not taking any chances today.
- 09:00: Attempted to get a taxi to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, the "prehistoric capital" of the Perigord Noir (Black Périgord) region. Taxi… not a thing. A man on the street gave me a look of genuine concern and sent me to the bus station.
- 10:00: The bus! This is where the true adventure begins. I'm surrounded by locals, all staring at me as if I'm some type of zoo exhibit. I love it.
- 11:30: Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. Okay, okay, the caves are pretty cool. Really cool. There's cave paintings that are thousands of years old. Mind = blown. But! So. Much. History. I had to sit outside, looking into the sky, wondering if one day I would be remembered.
- 13:00: Lunch at a tiny cafe in town. Salad with duck confit. Delicious. I eat it at a snail's pace, soaking up the atmosphere. Someone should write a book about me enjoying food.
- 14:00: Okay, back to exploring. There's a museum about cavemen. Again, cool. But I'm starting to get a little… museumed-out.
- 15:00: Walk around the neighborhood. It's beautiful. I stop, and buy an ice cream on a whim.
- 16:00: Back to Perigueux. Another bus ride, another chance to stare off into the distance.
- 18:00: Back to the Mercure. Take a nap.
- 20:00: Dinner at a different bistro. The wine is flowing. I start to feel a sense of peace.
- 22:00: Stumble back to the hotel. Collapse into bed.
Day 3: The Cathedral, the Market, and the Unavoidable Existential Dread
- 09:00: Breakfast. More croissants. This is becoming a habit. I'm not going to stop.
- 10:00: Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Front. Stunning. Seriously, jaw-dropping. I walk around in awe, but after some time, I'm starting to feel… odd.
- 11:00: The market! Now THIS is what I'm talking about. Fresh produce, cheeses, people shouting, the smell of garlic… this is life. I buy some cheese I can barely identify. I love it.
- 12:00: Snack time. I buy some olives and sit in the square. The sun is shining, people are laughing, and all of a sudden, it hits me. I'm alone.
- 13:00: Lunch. I bought a baguette, some cheese, and some tomatoes. I ate it in the park. I'm alone.
- 14:00: Another walk around the city to fight the feeling that I'm utterly empty. I buy some chocolates.
- 16:00: Back in the hotel. I order a coffee by the terrace, I try to forget about my thoughts and feelings.
- 20:00: Dinner at a restaurant I saw on the way to the hotel. After, I sit watching people walking and laughing. I'm alone.
- 22:00: Back in bed. Thinking about the universe, and how I can't understand it.
Day 4: Departure. And the Question of "What Was It All For?"
- 09:00: Breakfast. You guessed it. Croissants. The last ones.
- 10:00: Check out. That's it. All over.
- 11:00: Stroll around Perigueux. I see the place in a new light. I realize I like the place.
- 12:00: Buy souvenirs.
- 14:00: Departure.
- Epilogue: On the plane home, I realize I didn't do much. What was this experience truly worth? Who and what am I? Those questions, I think, aren't answerable. And maybe that's okay. Maybe. I will remember the croissants forever. And that, I think, is enough.
Mercure Périgueux: FAQs – Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions!
Okay, So… Périgueux? Where *IS* That, Exactly? And Why Mercure?
Alright, picture this: France. Beautiful, right? Now, zoom in on the southwest, near the Dordogne River (cue the dreamy sighs). Périgueux is the capital of the Dordogne department. Think rolling hills, ancient Roman ruins, and enough fois gras to make your arteries sing a mournful tune (just kidding… mostly).
And why *Mercure*? Honestly? I've stayed in worse. Way worse. It seems like a reliable, consistently decent option, which, let's face it, after a long day of driving (or even worse, trying to navigate the French train system), is a HUGE win. They rarely have the truly soul-crushing experiences I've endured elsewhere. Plus, the Mercure in Périgueux is pretty well-situated, close enough to the old town without feeling totally lost in a maze of cobbled streets.
Is the Mercure Périgueux actually *nice*? I’m not just looking for a place to crash…
Nice? Hmmm… that's a loaded question. Let me put it this way: It's not the Ritz. Don't expect gold-plated taps and a butler named Bartholomew. But it *is* generally clean and well-maintained. The rooms are perfectly functional—think comfortable bed, a decent shower (a *must* after a day of exploring!).
I remember one time, I was really craving a good bath. I thought that one nice room was equipped with a bathtub, but alas, it was just a shower! Oh, the humanity (okay, maybe not *that* dramatic, but I *did* want a bath!). Anyway, I digress… It's a solid, reliable choice. And honestly? After a few too many glasses of Bordeaux, a clean bed is all that *really* matters.
Breakfast - tell me *everything* about the breakfast! Is it the usual sad continental spread?
Okay, breakfast. This is important. Because a bad breakfast can ruin your entire day. Mercure Périgueux usually has a pretty respectable spread. Think croissants (naturally!), pain au chocolat (yes!), a variety of cheeses and meats, yogurt, fruit, and, crucially, coffee that's actually drinkable. Not the instant granules of despair you find in some places.
I remember one time… Alright, this is a breakfast story. Last trip, though. I piled my plate with cheese, ham, and a mountain of those tiny, flaky pastries. And the coffee was actually quite good. It was all going so perfectly! Until some kid, about seven, decided my perfectly balanced plate looked more appealing than his own. Chaos ensued. My croissant, now residing on the floor. Anyway, be prepared for anything. But the breakfast itself? Generally, a thumbs up!
Parking! Is parking a nightmare? And is there something that could go wrong? (I'm already worrying)
Parking… ugh. The bane of every traveler's existence. Mercure usually has some parking options - sometimes a garage, sometimes outdoor spaces. Check when you book! Because believe me, after a long day of navigating French roundabouts (which are basically Hunger Games for drivers), the last thing you want is a multi-hour scavenger hunt for a parking spot.
Once... oh, this is a good one. I booked a room in a similar city, *thought* I'd checked for parking, and arrived to find… absolutely *nothing*. Zero. Zilch. I ended up circling the block for a solid hour, sweating like a pig. I finally resorted to parking (illegally, I admit it) and hoping for the best. So, my advice? Call the hotel *before* you arrive! Double-check parking availability, and if they offer a garage, take it. It's worth the extra few euros to save your sanity and your bumper.
Is it in a Good Location? How far from the center and what is there nearby?
Location is a HUGE deal, right? Because, let's face it, you want to avoid the dreaded "hotel on the industrial outskirts of town" situation. Thank goodness, the Mercure Périgueux tends to be reasonably well-situated. You're likely to be within walking distance of the old town center, the main sights, and some decent restaurants. You may not be *in* the heart of the action, but it's usually close enough to stroll over.
I recall once choosing a hotel based on its proximity to a famous cathedral. It looked perfectly central on the map! When I arrived, I realised it was maybe a fifteen-minute walk, which is not too bad, but then you get there and realize how winding the roads are, how many hills there are, and how far back you will be in the evening after drinking one too many glasses of wine. I just wanted to be back at the hotel. Not being near things is a bummer for sure.
So, What's the Vibe? Romantic Getaway? Family Fun? Business Trip?
The vibe? It's… functional. It's not a wildly romantic boutique hotel. Don't expect rose petals on the bed (unless you're really, really lucky, or bring your own). It's generally good for all types of travelers. Mercure is an established brand, usually there are no surprises, good and bad.
I once was staying here and an elderly couple was getting ready to dance. They asked me to take their picture in their best outfits. It was a moment. And a reminder that people of all types are here! Business travellers in suits, families with rambunctious kids, and couples on a get-away. I think that is why Mercure is good, it can fit anyone. The biggest thing is to make sure that the place you are going to has what you need.
Are there any restaurants nearby worth checking out that you'd recommend?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Since I'm not a Périgueux local, I can't give super-specific recommendations. However, the front desk folks at the Mercure are usually pretty helpful! Ask them what's good nearby or check out ratings before you go! That is the best advice I can give you.
Last time I stayed, the front desk was a life-saver. I had arrived tired, hungry, and utterly clueless. They recommended a little bistro a few blocks away, it was delicious . I did not have to do any planning, it was all so easy! The best part was the great wine. I ended up going back the next night. So, don't be afraid to ask the hotel team. They can probably save you a lot of time and trouble.
