Mussidan is a sizable town in the (less visited) north-west of the Dordogne region, north of Bergerac.
Escaping from the impact of tourism is perhaps a good thing for a town – but tourism also brings with it facilities, and money for maintenance. Perhaps the best way to describe Mussidan is that it has escaped both the benefits and the ‘perils’ of tourism.
Unfortunately these perils are what visitors are looking for, and it is true that you do need to search rather hard for the jewels in Mussidan. Keep looking though, for there are various sights and buildings to discover if you spend the time to explore a little.
The area around the church is attractive, and there are various bridges across the river where you catch glimpses of the history of the town – a pigeonnier here, a mill there…
We visited mid-week, but market day is Saturday and this would be a better time to visit Mussidan if possible because the market has a reputation as being one of the best in the region.
Wander along the river side a little, then visit the museum – the Museum in Mussidan (Musée d’arts et de traditions populaires du Périgord, 3 euros entry charge, limited opening times outside summer) has some interesting exhibits relating to the history of the town and region.
One interesting story in the history of the town concerns its part in the resistance during the Second World War – a local attempt to destroy a part of a train line in 1944, in an effort to slow down their advance towards the frontiers in the north of France, led to a harsh retaliation by the Nazis, who shot 52 people in the town including the mayor.
Places to visit near Mussidan
While here, take the time to travel a few kilometres down the road to the small village of Issac, one of the most attractive villages to be found in this part of the Dordogne; and to visit the attractive Chateau de Montréal and the gardens that surround it.
