Guide Perigord_version anglaise

©PhilippeMatsas/Opale/Leemage

Pierre Bellemare, French broadcasting legend

“Before, our summer residence was a sailing boat on the Mediterranean Sea. But when I realised that the boat steers the man and not the other way around, I decided to look for an ‘inlet’ on dry land where I could find that same peace and quiet! Some Belgian friends of mine suggested I come here and I just loved it.Vergt-de-Biron is now my main residence. I enjoy the gentle scenery, with its woods, meadows and little streams. Perhaps subconsciously, it reminded me of my native Norman-Switzerland, though the climate here is much better! As much as possible, I get involved in the local scene, by spelling test contests or readings during the Book Fair for example.” “Amidst woodlands and meadows”

© Jean-Daniel Sudres

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Formerly seat of the four baronies of Périgord, Biron’s chateau stands on a promontory south of Monpazier. Built in the XIIth century, the castle has been the property of the Gontaut-Biron family for 800 years. Over the centuries, the building extended considerably. A visit to the castle reveals: a gothic chapel with sculpted tombs, the Marshals’ castle with its inverted keel timber structure, along with Renaissance rooms and vaulted kitchens. In medieval times, the great hall known as the “Salle des États deGuyenne”, was used as ameet- ing room for the baronies of Périgord. Incidentally, Biron castle was used as a film location for D’Artagnan’s Daughter . The Magical Chateau of Biron

To understand the history of Monpazier and the hundreds of bastides in the southwest of France, a visit to the Bastideum E is a must! This interpretive center housed in a former convent,“couvent des Récollets”, uses educational, recreational and interactive resources to unlock the mysteries behind the emblematic architecture and planning of these“new towns” built in the Middle Ages, at a time of rivalry between the Kings of France and England. All about Bastide Towns

© Bertrand Rieger

© Bertrand Rieger

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24+1VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD