Monpazier

Member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Edward I of England, as Duke of Gascony, laid out Monpazier in 1284 to a strict grid around an arcaded square with an open market hall, and it is often held up as the best-preserved bastide of the south-west. The smallest commune in the Dordogne, it now has many craft workshops. In summer the Thursday market spreads through the streets.

Highlights

The arcaded central square and its open market hall
The church of Saint-Dominique, built between the 13th and 16th centuries
One of the region's two cep (porcini) markets
Summer medieval festival and a night cycle race around the bastide
Footpaths to the Château de Biron

Text adapted from Wikipedia (Monpazier (FR), Monpazier (EN), Monpazier (IT)), Wikivoyage (Monpazier (FR), Monpazier (EN)). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Population: 441

Things to see

Église Saint-Dominique de Monpazier (FR)
Halle centrale de Monpazier (FR)
Maison du Chapître (Monpazier) (FR)

Events through the year

Flower festival Fairs and markets · Third Sunday of May
Salon Métiers & Arts Fairs and markets · Four days in early MayDozens of craftspeople and artists gather
Brocantes Fairs and markets · Once each in June, August and OctoberThree second-hand and antique fairs a year
Les Médiévales Historical · Summer
Chorale of Monpazier concert Music and arts · JulyChoir concert in the church
Bastide cycle race Sport and games · Usually early AugustBike race around the walled bastide town
Fête du livre Music and arts · September