Count of Périgord

Count of Périgord (Fr.: comte de Périgord) is a noble title in the peerage of France. Originally known as "The sovereign house of the Counts of Périgord, princes by the grace of God". The first recorded sovereign Count was Emenon, who was also Count of Poitiers and Count of Angoulême. Most likely, the title was bestowed on Emenon in 845 by Pepin I of Aquitaine as a reward for Emenon fighting with Pepin against Louis the Pious. The title takes its name from the Périgord region of France, and the historic seat of the Counts of Périgord was Périgueux.

House of Talleyrand, 1072–1399


In 1399, Charles VI of France deprived the last Count of Périgord of his lands. In 1400, the king granted the title to his supporter, Louis I, Duke of Orléans.

House of Orléans, 1400–1437
In 1437, Charles, Duke of Orléans sold the title of "Count of Périgord" to John I, Count of Penthièvre.

House of Châtillon, 1437–1481
Frances married Alain I of Albret and the title of "Count of Périgord" was inherited by their son, John III of Navarre.

House of Bourbon, 1572–1604
Catherine de Bourbon was the last individual to hold the title of Count or Countess of Périgord; she died childless.