Monpazier

Visit Monpazier, Aquitaine

Monpazier is 15 kilometres south of Domme towards the southern edge of the Dordogne region, and is listed as a 'most beautiful village of France'.

The origins of Monpazier date from the 13th century when it was founded as a bastide town in 1284 by King Edward I of England. Monpazier is a remarkable place that is usually considered to be the most intact bastide town remaining in France.

Exploring Monpazier

Broadly speaking the town has a large central square, a smaller square with the church close by, and straight streets lined with medieval buildings running out from this centre to the edges of the town and parts of the historic fortifications. The town is entered through large stone gateways through these defensive walls.

Around its paved central square, containing the original market hall, Monpazier retains many ancient buildings and the original arcades around the edge of the square.

There is perhaps little to actually say about the town - it is the general impression it creates that is the attraction rather than any particular individual highlights.

The 13th century Church of Saint-Dominique has an attractive carved entrance and the ancient market hall is interesting - note the old 'tin buckets' in the hall, which are said to be the original 'weighing station' for oils and wheat etc.

The houses and arcades around the edge of the square (the sheltered pathways under the arches) are also a highlight. More than 30 of the buildings in Monpazier are classified as 'national monuments', and there is little to spoil the impression that all is much as it has been for the last 700 years.

Monpazier is one of the few places where you can take loads of photos (and you will) and none show any building less than 400 years old!

The most remarkable feature is that many of the houses in the centre are different to each other in architectural style, but still form a perfect whole.

Be sure to venture a little down the side streets, where houses, and occasional shops and cafes, sit quietly as they have for many centuries.

As in the centre there are many attractive houses - see for example the tall Maison du Chapitre is on the Rue Notre-Dame and the Convent des Recollets for examples, and the mairie just outside the south-east corner of the centre.

Be sure to also stroll to the edges of the town (outside the Monpazier fortifications and only about 200 metres from the centre) to see the views that look south across the woodland and valley.

Monpazier is an unmissable highlight of a visit to the region and a visit to this unique village is highly recommended (we live close by and have visited more than 100 of the 'most beautiful villages of France' and never cease to be impressed even after visiting Monpazier on numerous occasions, at all times of year.

Local highlights

The Dordogne area to the north and the Lot-et-Garonne region to the south both contain a very large number of interesting sights and villages. For somewhere a little off the beaten track, perhaps visit the medieval villages of Villereal or Issigeac to the west, or Monflanquin a little further to the south and also a listed 'beautiful village of France'.

There are numerous castles, villages and scenic highlights close to Monpazier - see the guides for Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne for more details. Monpazier is also at the eastern end of the Dropt Valley, which is a less visited region that also contains many small towns and villages of interest.

Somewhere to stay?

We can suggest various options if you are visiting Monpazier and plan to explore the region.

For holiday rentals see Villereal gites (with a farmhouse (sleeps 6-8) and ancient cottage (sleeps 2) ideally located near Villereal, and close to Monpazier; for an apartment with private pool see this holiday apartment near Monpazier, or for a guest house we suggest the Moulin de Labique.

See Aquitaine and Dordogne (the region and department for Monpazier) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Monpazier: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages); 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Photos of Monpazier

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Suggested places to visit near Monpazier, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Belves 13km; Chateau de Gavaudun 14km; Beaumont-du-Perigord 14km; Cadouin 14km; Molieres 15km; Villefranche-du-Perigord 15km; Chateau de Bonaguil 19km; Monflanquin 20km; Chateau de Fumel 21km; Tremolat 22km; Limeuil 23km;

Monpazier tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise Sainte-Croix (Beaumont-du-Perigord) - religious monument (8km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves) - religious monument (14km) : Jardins de la Bourlie - remarkable garden (15km) : Jardin de Conty - remarkable garden (18km) : Abbaye de Cadouin (Le Buisson-de-Cadouin) - religious monument (18km) : Jardin de Planbuisson - remarkable garden (18km) : Eglise de saint-Pierre (Audrix) - religious monument (22km) : Eglise de Saint-Hilaire et Eglise de Saint-Nicholas (Tremolat) - religious monument (22km) :

See more places and a map at places near Monpazier