This village is a little far from the river Dordogne . Monpazier is the most important fortified town in Perigord because it has conserved intact the aspect, the disposition, the architecture and the dimensions.
A fortified town was a new city constructed during the Middle Ages by initiative of a lord, because of economic reasons (in order to colonize and exploit an area) or military (to guarantee the security of the land by settling it in the border). During the second half of the 13th century the English kings (then lords of Aquitaine ) and the French kings built several of these fortified towns at the south of Dordogne to strength their positions. These towns had a key role during the One Hundred Years war and the Religion wars.
Edward I of England and the lord of Biron founded Monpazier in 1284. It only belonged to the French the second half of the 14th century. It has maintained its original shape despite all the wars.
The main square or Cornieres square has many old buildings around (from 14th to 17th centuries), with similar height and placed over arcades from 14th and 15th centuries. There is also a covered street market with a chapel, from 16th century. Monpazier worth a visit only because this fantastic square. We had refreshment in a terrace enjoying the buildings and the sunny weather.
Near the square we find the church Saint Dominic , from 13th century and posterior modifications.
Around the square the streets from a ordered net, a perfect grid. Couples of towers protect the town gates.
All the houses of Monpzaier had in their origin the same features: similar size and separated one from each other by narrow intervals to avoid fire propagating.
The village only needs less than half day. We continued towards Biron by car for 20 min.
