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© Bertrand Rieger
©Titia Carrizey-Jasick
© Bertrand Rieger
©Titia Carrizey-Jasick
“As soon as I arrived in the bastide town of Domme in
1999 returning to my ancestral home, I was literally
swept off my feet.The architecture, the setting, with its
extraordinary view are just unique. Behind the fortified
walls, there’s this feeling that nothing can get to us, that
we’re protected from all that ails the world. I’m lucky
enough to live in the Moneyer’s house
G
, Domme’s very
oldest house. Living in a heritage building allows me to
affirm my family legacy. Under the arcades, I’m guided
by the prevailing serenity while creating my collections
of gold and silver-plated jewellery, based on themes that
inspire me such as woman and nature.”
Shortly after its construction, the Porte des Tours
E
, was used as a gaol for 70 Knights Templar
imprisoned in 1307, by order of King Philip the Fair.
Hundreds of graffiti drawings carved on the cell
walls by the soldier-monks bear witness to their
religious faith and their military commitment.
The graffiti, featuring seven distinct scenes, are
now visible to the public.
“I’m guided by the
prevailing serenity”
700 year old graffitis
Whether you arrive by the Carsac-Aillac road or by canoe
from the river upstream, this is one Black Périgord’s most
emblematic sights… Perched on a rocky outcrop opposite
the Turnac peninsula, Montfort castle
H
, dominates the
“cingle” (or meander) on one side and the hamlet to which
it also gives its name on the other side, in the territory of
Vitrac. Fief of a Cathar Lord called Bernard de Cazenac
during the Albigensian Crusade of 1214, the castle was
destroyed by Simon de Montfort—a homonym of mere
coincidence—and later rebuilt.
The “Cingle” of Montfort
Charles Duret,
jewellery sculptor
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
24+1 VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD
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