A chief point of cultural interest is the cathedral of Saint-Front, built in the 12th century on the ruins of the abbey, which burned in 1120. One of the largest in southwestern France, it is built in the shape of a Greek cross, topped by five lofty domes and numerous colonnaded turrets. A Romanesque bell tower and cloisters of the 12th, 13th, and 16th centuries adjoin it on the south. Successive restorations, the last ending in 1901, have altered its original character. The Périgord Museum displays prehistoric and archaeological artifacts of the area, as well as secular and religious art. In the Cité is the 12th-century Church of Saint-Étienne, which was the cathedral until 1669. Evidences of ancient Roman occupation are an arena of the 3rd century AD, a boundary wall of the Roman civitas on which is built the Château Barrière (12th-15th century), and the Vésone Tower. Now one of the most attractive towns in southwestern France, Périgueux is a road and rail junction with connections northeast to Limoges and southwest to Bordeaux. Internationally known for its pâté de foie gras, truffles, and wine, Périgueux is also an important hog market.

FROM THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Leaving Bordeaux by tram, the first station arrived at is Liboume, which is one of the free towns founded by Edward 1. Contras is the next, at which we turn off to Perigueux. We may notice that, in the neighborhood of Contras, in 1587, a battle between the Protestants, headed by Henry IV., King of Navarre, and the Catholics, led by the Duke de Joyeuse, was fought. Henry was the victor. In Perigueux there is nothing extraordinary to be seen; but it is an interesting town on account of its antiquity, and the quaint, old-fashioned, narrow, tortuous and dirty streets, by which its more antique portion is characterized. Its cathedral is the type of the ecclesiastical architecture of the neighboring provinces, with five cupolas supported by pointed arches-the earliest, it is said, of that kind of arch in France. The town contains several statues; one of Marshal Bugeaud, who was born in the province, and one of Montague, and another of Fenelon, who were both natives of Perigord.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Thomas Allom (1804-1872) was born in London, England on 13th March 1804. He was articled to Francis Goodwin, an architect in 1819. He was to become a founder member of the R.I.B.A. (Royal Institute of British Architects - which is still the premier institution today). He is best know for his topographical drawings, so many of which were engraved on steel & appeared in many of the travel books of the time. He travelled extensively, not just in the UK & Europe, but further afield, covering such countries as Turkey & China. Collections of his work can be found in the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

SIZE: Image size is 5 inches by 7 inches. Print size is 9 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches including white borders.

CONDITION: Condition is excellent. Bright and clean. Blank on reverse.

SHIPPING: Buyers to pay shipping/handling, domestic orders receives priority mail, international orders receive regular mail. 

We pack properly to protect your item!

Please note: the terms used in our auctions for engraving, heliogravure, lithograph, print, plate, photogravure etc. are ALL prints on paper, NOT blocks of steel or wood. "ENGRAVINGS", the term commonly used for these paper prints, were the most common method in the 1700s and 1800s for illustrating old books, and these paper prints or "engravings" were inserted into the book with a tissue guard frontis, usually on much thicker quality rag stock paper, although many were also printed and issued as loose stand alone prints. So this auction is for an antique paper print(s), probably from an old book, of very high quality and usually on very thick rag stock paper.

EXTREMELY RARE IN THIS EXCELLENT CONDITION!