The town of Monsegur is a bastide town, situated on the Dropt river in south-east Gironde. This area of countryside between the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers is known as Entre-Deux-Mers.
Note: there are several places called Monsegur (and others called Montsegur) in France, so be careful if you are booking a 'hotel in Monsegur' that you have found the town you are looking for!
Exploring Monsegur
France This Way review: Monsegur is pleasant to visit but there are limited highlights so doesn't take long to explore. Overall, we would recommend you visit if you are in the region but would not travel a long way to come here.
Founded in the 13th century, Monsegur is an 'English' bastide: that is, it was founded by the English when they occupied the region before the Hundred Years War.
Monségur has all the typical characteristics of a bastide such as a central square surrounded by covered arcades, and straight roads radiating off from the centre in a grid pattern, interconnected by even narrower alleys. This layout was defined when the town was built in the 13th century and is largely unchanged today.
There is a church in the centre, the Church of Notre Dame, that dates from the 13th century and contains some interesting stone carvings as well as some traditional half-timbered houses to enjoy.
The original wooden market hall that once stood in the centre of the square has unfortunately now been replaced by a 19th century hall made of ironwork and glass, which is perhaps rather larger than the original and dominates the central square.
Another notable feature is the so-called Governor's tower, built in the 15th century to house the staircase of the Governor's house and with several interesting decorative features around the entrance doorway.
Monsegur is slightly unusual in that a significant part of its original defensive ramparts remain intact, and give you the chance to walk the two kilometres around the town while enjoying the attractive views across the Dropt valley and surrounding countryside.
Market day is Friday in Monsegur and a good time to visit to see the town at its liveliest - be sure take the time to sit in a cafe in the square and watch the world bustling by after buying your fruit and vegetables.
Attractions nearby
Many of the most popular and interesting towns and villages in the area follow the Dropt river as it flows westwards - see information of some of the highlights at Dropt Valley. Among our favourite towns close to Monsegur are La Reole and Eymet.
Explore elsewhere in the Dropt Valley. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Monsegur
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Hotels in Monsegur
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Map of Monsegur and places nearby
Visit near Monsegur with France This Way reviews
Duras
Duras is a quiet town that is above all known for the local wine and the Chateau de Duras in the town
Duras guide
Pellegrue
Pellegrue is a very small village but well worth exploring when you are visiting this part of the Dropt Valley
Pellegrue guide
La Reole
Largely ignored by visitors because of its proximity to Bordeaux we found La Reole to be a very pleasant, traditional Gironde town to explore
La Reole guide
Sauveterre-de-Guyenne
The layout of the town of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne still follows its original medieval plan almost exactly
Sauveterre-de-Guyenne guide
Allemans-du-Dropt
Although small, Allemans-du-Dropt has a few monuments of interest of which our favourite is the church with its medieval frescoes.
Allemans-du-Dropt guide
Marmande
The town of Marmande is not usually visited by tourists but if you are passing be sure to stop and take a look
Marmande guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gironde
Address: Monségur, Langon, Aquitaine, 33580, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.651389, longitude 0.081667
Plan your visit to Monsegur, Gironde
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin du cloître Notre-Dame: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Jardins de Beauchamp: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Montcaret Archaeological site: national monument (23 km)
- Jardins du Sardy: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Parc et potager de Pouthet: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Jardins du château de Malle: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Cadillac Chateau: national monument (32 km)
- Collégiale et chapelle de la Trinité (Saint-Emilion): religious monument (33 km)
- Saint-Emilion: heritage site (33 km)
- Bazas cathédrale St Jean Baptist (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (34 km)
- Sauve-Majeure Abbey: national monument (34 km)
- La Sauve Majeure abbaye (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (34 km)
The French version of this page is at Monsegur (Francais)