Monpazier on the road of the Bastides in Périgord
Bastide de Monpazier (13th century) : a veritable gem of medieval architecture, considered to be the finest and the model for the 300 bastides of south-west France.
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A centre for arts and crafts
Monpazier lies between Sarlat and Bergerac, not too far from Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Cahors in an area with plenty to see.
The Bastide de Monpazier, one of the « Loveliest Villages in France », was founded in 1284 in the name of King Edward I of England. Considered to be a ‘model’ bastide town with perfect right-angles, it influenced the designs of the greatest architects.
During the Hundred Years’ War, Monpazier passed from Capetian domination to that of the Plantagenets and it was not until the reign of Charles V that it became a French possession.
Monpazier was often the scene of conflicts, revolts and epidemics : the Hundred Years’ War, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, Croquant rebellions, plague, typhoid... Yet in spite of these tribulations, the bastide preserved its original character and exceptional architecture :
- Outer wall with 2 gate towers,
- Carreyras and Carreyrous (streets),
- Place des Cornières (main central square with covered market and well),
- Church of Saint Dominique,
- Maison du Chapître,
- Couvent (convent),
- Puit du lavoir (well and wash pool),
- Fontaine des amours (fountain),
- Andrones (small spaces between 2 buildings for evacuation of sewage and rainwater),
- Latrines,
- Houses – medieval, classic and bourgeois.
The village has 32 listed buildings and sites.
Monpazier has become a centre for arts and crafts. More than 22 artists and craft workers have studios or workshops there which are open to the public, mostly all year round. A great opportunity to meet and watch creative artists at work.
A fun visit for all the family
Bastideum is a fun cultural centre for visitors of all ages. It traces the history of bastides, the new towns built in the Middle Ages, using numerous digital formats and an aerial video of Monpazier on a giant screen. Play medieval games, stroll through the medieval garden with a fun activity all about scents, then carry on walking through the streets of Monpazier with your smartphone or tablet.
To visit the village :
Free self-guided tours all year round using a plan available from the Office de Tourisme and information boards in French and English. Liven up your visit with a game-booklet to find the answer to a riddle.
Guided tours available in July and August. Torchlit tours on Monday evenings.
Contact : OFFICE DE TOURISME DES BASTIDES DORDOGNE PERIGORD Place des Cornières 24540 MONPAZIER
SatNav : Lat. 44.6801812 Long. 0.8944076
The Office de Tourisme is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (TOURISME ET HANDICAP).
Brochures in Braille or large-print are available for visually-impaired visitors.
Visit the nearby Château de Biron or the village of Molières, site of the smallest bastide in Périgord
