Monpazier + Area

Monpazier is classified Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France – or ‘One of the Most Beautiful Villages of France’ – a title earned by just over 150 villages across the nation. This 13th century bastide (‘fortified village’) is considered the best preserved and most beautiful of all the bastide villages in South-West France. It is also ranked a Grand Site National for its historical significance, and is considered a must-see village of the Dordogne.

Each Thursday morning Monpazier’s evocative central square Place des Cornieres comes alive with the bustle and buzz of market day. And you can almost guarantee any given month will feature a festival or fete to celebrate anything from Spring roses or summer strawberries, to Bastille Day, to autumn cepes and winter truffles. In France, there’s always a reason for a fete!

Monpazier is a well-serviced village, complete with excellent charcuteries, mouth-watering patisseries, well-stocked SPAR and Casino mini-markets, tempting wine cellars, a medical clinic, helpful pharmacy, hairdressers and beauty salon, bank (with cash machine), Electric Vehicle charging stations in the north carpark, and a petrol station. Many talented artisans have also made Monpazier their home. Wander through the artists galleries, and the ateliers specialising in woodwork, ceramics, glassblowing, print framers, traditional soaps and perfumes, gorgeous linens and leatherwork – as well as an antique clock restorer. And then there’s the lovely little gift shops, brocantes and clothing boutiques to explore. Simply watch the world go by (with a glass of wine) from the cafe terraces on the central square, enjoy an icecream from the glacier, or have a bite to eat in one of the great-value bistros.

Click here to enjoy the view of the square!

Click on the Photo Gallery above to explore our wonderful neighborhood.

The advantage of Monpazier is that it’s a living, working village, complete with excellent charcuteries, patisseries, pharmacy, two small well-stocked supermarkets, wine cellars, doctors, dentist, bank and petrol station. Many talented artisans have also made Monpazier their home. Explore the woodwork, ceramics, glassblowing, print framers, traditional soaps and perfumes, and leatherwork ateliers and artists galleries, as well as an antique clock restorer and an ostrich egg engraver. Or simply watch the world go by on the open cafe terraces by the Place.

Monpazier is considered one of the ‘must-see’ villages of this region.  It’s featured in this beautiful short clip…so take an armchair tour of the Dordogne right here!

There’s so much to see & do in this part of the Dordogne! Here’s a sample of activities within an easy short drive:

  • Land of 1001 Chateaux! Chateau Biron (8km south); Chateau Beynac (24km north); Chateau Castelnaud (24km north); Chateau des Milandes (20km northeast); Chateau Monbazillac (25km west); Chateau Bonaguil (19km southwest); Chateau Bridoire (27km west); Chateau Puymartin (43km northeast)
  • World-famous Gardens: Marquessac or Eyrignac (respectively 35 & 50 mins drive north);
  • Amazing prehistoric caves: Grottes de Maxange (15km northwest); renowned Grotte de Font-de-Gaume, Les Combarelles and Abri du Cap Blanc (38km north); Gouffre de Proumeyssac (25km north); Grotte de Rouffignac (47km north)
  • Horseriding near Belves (16km north) or Issigeac (20km west);
  • UNESCO listed Cadouin Abbey & Cloisters (15 mins north);
  • Treetop adventure park for children: Parc en Ciel at Lacapelle de Biron (8km southeast);
  • Enjoy the river: canoeing, river beaches & gabarre cruises: Limeuil, Bergerac, La Roque Gageac, Tremolat.
  • Stunning ancient classified villages nearby: Sarlat, Domme, Castelnaud, Beynac, Issigeac, Monflanquin, Villereal, Beaumont, Belves
  • Golf course at Belves (16km north)

Foodlovers, rejoice!  You are in ‘Michelin territory’ in this corner of the Dordogne. A stroll into the village will bring you to a Michelin Assiette Gourmand restaurant, the elegant Restaurant Eleonore, in the Hotel Edward 1er.  Only 12km north in Ste Sabine Born, is the Michelin-recommended innovative cuisine of L’Etincelles. Head further north over the river to Tremolat, and you’ll find the renowned one-star Le Vieux Logis, and its ever-popular casual venue, Bistro de la Place. And 25km west, a few steps from Chateau Monbazillac is the stylish one-star La Tour des Vents, offering magnificent views across the vineyards below. Or just stroll over to our village any day to enjoy your choice of several great-value restaurants, ranging from excellent bistro fare to tasty, family-friendly wood-fire pizzerias.

Some of France’s most sought-after produce emanates from this region. Villa Ste Therese is surrounded by excellent farmers and producers…ducks & geese; nuts of all sorts; strawberries and raspberries that actually taste like strawberries and raspberries! Then there’s the wine! Between Bordeaux and Bergerac lie some of the most famous vineyards in the world.

Enjoy an immersive armchair-ride through our beautiful neighborhood by viewing this short VIDEO here

Or follow @dordognevillafrance on Instagram for more great views of the region.

You are about to immerse yourself in the ‘foodbasket of France’ … bon appétit!

Dordogne Country House

 

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