Opening on the quays, Youngtimer vehicles… Five things to know about the Vintage Days of Périgueux

"This is the biggest change to the event," notes Lucile Videau, the conductor of this festive weekend. Contrary to her usual practice, the opening night of the Vintage Days in Périgueux (Dordogne) will not take place at the CGR cinema, Place Francheville, but on the quays of the Isle. "I think it's a place that lends itself well to this kind of event," declares the president of the organization. On site, the public will be able to admire some of the first vintage cars on display, attend the launch speeches, and a performance by the Voulez-vous danser school. See you on Friday, August 29, from 6:30 p.m.

2 A refocused event that will take over as far as La Clautre

Vintage racing in Coursac and the gathering of old cars in Trélissac are over. For these Vintage Days 2025, the organizers have decided to refocus exclusively on Périgueux, which the town's merchants view rather favorably. What they also like is that the festival's perimeter this year will not be confined to the boulevards and allées Tourny: "We're going to take over the entire town center. We're trying to get more public circulation," explains Lucile Videau. The recently resurfaced Rue Taillefer should host a few retro vehicles on display. And the traditional vintage flea market, on Sunday, August 31, will take over the brand-new Place de la Clautre.

This is the other big new feature of these Vintage Days. On Saturday, August 30, starting at 2 p.m., the BAM brewery will host a gathering of vehicles dating from 1975 to 2005, called Youngtimers. This increasingly popular trend serves as an "off" event in the Vintage Days program. It will be accompanied by a DJ set to liven up the gathering.

4 The military camp, a flagship attraction

Every year, it attracts young and old alike. With its jeeps, trucks, and ambulances, the American military camp will take over Place Bugeaud on Saturday and Sunday. And to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Vintage Days, it promises to be "more lively than ever," according to Anne-Marie Vialard, president of the organizing association, Liberty Véhicules Group 24. In addition to vintage vehicles, a vintage singer is announced, as well as immersive tours "to discover vehicles in a different way," quizzes, and a play area for children. A festive evening will also be held there on Saturday evening.

What would the Périgord vintage event be without its retro vehicle parades and dance and elegance competitions? The parades will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the boulevards, as always. The competitions will take place on Sunday, starting at 2:30 p.m. for the dance (Place du Coderc) and 3 p.m. for the elegance (Passage Sainte-Cécile). There will also be jazz, rock, and rockabilly bands livening up the city streets, a swing dance on Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. on Place Bugeaud, and so many other festivities that it's difficult to list them all.