Villages of Perigord

©PhilippeMatsas/Opale/Leemage

“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.”

To understand the history of Monpazier and the hundreds

of bastides in the southwest of France, a visit to the

Bastideum

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.

“Amidst woodlands

and meadows”

Pierre Bellemare,

French broadcasting legend

All about Bastide Towns

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

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

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24+1VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD

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