The “Bastides” of South West France by Alan Knighting
Many visitors to the area will have heard of a Bastide, but what is it? A Bastide is a medieval new town or village, and between the years 1220 and 1370 over three hundred Bastides were created in South West France. They were built on a square grid design with a central arcaded market place and an adjacent church, originally without fortifications.
The Hundred Years War, raging between 1337 and 1453 and fought primarily over
claims by the Engish kings to the French throne, constituted a momentous time
in the region's history. Both sides established Bastides as centres of power,
administration and commerce and as places of retreat for the local population.
At this point fortifications were added.
Most of the original Bastides survive to this day, although many of them have
lost their fortifications. In their modern guise, Bastides contain small shops
and businesses of all varieties (the butcher, the baker and candle-stick maker,
they’re all there,) and they form the cultural and tourist centres of the area.
Each one has a weekly open-air market filled with stalls offering an enormous
range of seasonal local produce – meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and cheeses,
all fresh from the farm. The local wines and eau-de-vie are on offer and one can
taste before buying.
The arcaded market squares are also the locations for many small restaurants and bars, each providing the specialities of the region. Duck and goose, truffles and cèpes, foie-gras and pâtés, they frequently feature on “the menu of the day” and often at amazingly low prices.
No visit to the South West of France is complete without spending at least a few
hours exploring the streets of the local Bastide, experiencing the hustle and
bustle of a market, and relaxing over a drink or enjoying a leisurely meal in
one of the bars or restaurants.
Your Holiday Matters - approved properties
Regis, self catering cottages near Monflanquin
Our properties lie in the northern part of the Lot-et-Garonne department, part of the Aquitaine region of South-West France. The whole area is lovely and the river valleys of the Lot, the Garonne and the Dordogne are within very easy reach, with all the variety, beauty and interest they have to offer.
The cottages themselves form part of the original farm complex of “Regis”, which dates back to the early 19th century and overlooking the beautiful Bastide town of Monflanquin situated some 4 km to the South.
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Peyrenègre
Peyrenègre is situated in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne countryside and
offers two quality gites, pool and health suite. Les Hirondelles and Les
Etables both sleep 4/6 people, and there is the possibility of extending the
accommodation in Les Etables to 8 by allowing access to the adjacent annexe.
The gites are well equipped, and are set in extensive grounds with panoramic
views.
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Cottage sleeps 2, farmhouse sleeps 6-8, pool
At Fonguilleres, we have two rental properties avalable. La Glycine, an ancient cottage sleeping 2
people, and
Le Grenadier, a traditional Perigord farmhouse, sleeping 8.
There is a large pool shared between the two properties, which are set in 16 acres of peaceful countryside just 2km from the lively market town of Villereal and 25 km from Bergerac. The attractions of both the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne regions are easily accessible.
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