Monpazier
is located in the south of the Perigord, on the border of the
Agen region, between Bergerac and Sarlat. It is about 45 km
from each of these cities.
Meaning: montipasseri “Mountain by which one passes” or from
mont paciaru, “Mountain of Peace” or Mons Paxerius, “Protected
by the Pious” (1285)
Created in 1284 from a donation of land by Lord Pierre de
Biron to the King of England Edward I, Monpazier is considered
as being the
model bastide (walled town)
among the 300 bastides in the greater southwest. It has the
label “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (“The Loveliest Villages
of France”). The fortified new city is built as a perfect
rectangle around a cornered place where certain houses were
modified up until the 18th century. Three doors and a tower,
as well as the remains of ramparts, are left from its
fortified enclosure.
Eight times one
hundred years old, Monpazier bastide has kept its charm and
medieval character in spite of the passage of time and the wars
it has known. Its square plan with wide streets and alleys has
changed only a little up until now.
An important theatre in the Hundred Years War as well as in the
Croquants revolt, Monpazier’s authentic character has also
attracted several filmmakers who have chosen it as the setting
for historical films (Le Capitan, Fanfan la Tulipe,
D’Artagnan…). Eugène Le Roy placed several scenes of his novel
“Jacquou le Croquant” in Monpazier.
In 1991, public authorities classified the bastide with the
standing “Important National Site” (with the towns of Capdrot
and Biron), which makes it possible to protect and improve this
unique urban architectural heritage.
The inhabitants constitute a dynamic community around
associations that organize several cultural events, such as
artistic exhibits, guided visits of the town and its
surroundings (archaeology group), the medieval festival, book
sale, second-hand goods sale, the ceps market or sports events.
The village also has numerous businesses that offer, notably,
regional products and handmade crafts.
The town has 539* inhabitants on a surface area of 1km² Longitude: 0.891944 E Latitude: 44.682499 N
*
2007 total
population
Text translated by Pays du Grand Bergeracois (professional translator).
