Monpazier is a fascinating town which has charmed us from our very first visit. It was established in 1284 on 53 hectares of land granted to King Edward I, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, by Pierre de Gontaut, Lord of Biron.
Today Monpazier still occupies exactly the same 53 hectares it occupied when it was first founded, and is possibly the smallest commune in France . It is certainly the best preserved of all the “bastide” towns in the Dordogne , or indeed anywhere else, as well as being the prettiest. A bastide was a fortified town or village designed for protection during the Hundred Years war.
The bastide of Monpazier is a National Heritage site and one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. It is built along classic bastide lines, oblong in shape and with streets laid out on a grid pattern around the market square. Within the square is the XVIth century oak framed covered market “ halle ”
From time to time during the summer there are flea markets at the weekend plus numerous special events.
The church dates back to the XIIIth century and has an unusual ribbed vault nave leading to a polygonal apse or “chevet”. The Chapter house is also XIIIth century and was formerly used as a tithe barn. The church is regularly used to host musical events.
If you would like to learn more about Monpazier and the region generally please go to Links.
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