Everything French Travel Magazine November 2013 | Page 37

Monpazier | Beautiful Village of France
Monpazier is a bastide town in the southern
Dordogne. The town square sits in the middle of
the bastide and is home to a beautifully restored
covered market.

History
Monpazier was founded on January 7, 1284, on
behalf of King Edward I of England, by his
steward John Grailly.

When built the town was considered to be a
perfect design and became a great influence to
some of Frances greatest Architects.

Monpazier was an important stronghold during
the Hundred Years War and it was not until the
reign of Charles V, King of France from 1366 to
1380, that the town came under French rule.

Monpazier has not been damaged by the passing
of time and the wars that have been fought
around it and remains a stunning example of a
Medieval Bastide Town.
Monpazier is a Grand National Site of France and
a Le Plus Beaux de Villages de France. It has 32
buildings and sites that are protected as Historic
Monuments.

The town was also a centre of peasant rebellion
twice in 1594 and the again 1637 provoked by the
misery brought about by the War of Religions.
Both uprisings were brutally suppressed.
Now Monpazier is a quite village with a popular
Saturday market and is well worth a visit.

Things to See and Do
Place de Cornieres
The town square with beautifully intact covered
mar ket surrounded by arcades and arches. Dine
at one of the restaurants that dot the square in
the warm summer months.
Saint-Dominique Church
A fortified church dating from the 15th century.
Maison Chaitre
The finest example of a medieval house
occupying 2 building blocks. Opposite St
Dominique Church.

Recollects
Convent behind the church which once cared for
the poor and educated girls. Now a permanent
and temporary art exhibition space.
Flower Festival
On the 3rd Sunday of May Monpazier hosts a
flower festival which is famous throughout the
region.

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