Perigueux/Bassillac  LFBX

Date of Visit = June 2000

Pilot: = Roger Stroud

e-mail = rmpstroud@aol.com

Field Report =

45deg 11.90N, 000deg 48.90E

Freq 120.70 (Inf) Elev 328ft

Runway 12-30 1750m (ILS PX 109.10)

Customs on request

Perigueux is a neat airfield in beautiful rolling countryside approximately 70 miles West of Bordeaux. The town that gives its name to the airfield is rightly renowned throughout France for its gastronomic delights, but if you choose to fly just 1000' above the wooded hills and fast flowing rivers it can equally thrill you with the sheer beauty of the countryside.

This same undulating terrain means that circuits are flown at 1500' with a steep approach (or a long downwind leg). This area can be very popular with gliders, so you will need to keep a good look out. During my visit I met up with one circling at 1000' on short finals. Ok, unlikely to cause too many problems, but unsettling none the less. There is also a low flying air force training area to the North and North West, in fact we twice heard the sound of jets close by, and once caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a Jaguar flying up the valley.

Periueux itself is a few kilometers to the West of the field and easily reached by taxi. The town has several hotels, but the Gites that dot the countryside are cheap and easy on the eye. If you can hire a car and rent a Gite for a few days you will probably be seeing this countryside at its best.

In common with many airfields in France, this is not going to break the bank. I was charged 65 Francs for landing fees and parking for a three day stay.