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Monpazier
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Monpazier (French pronunciation: [mɔ̃pazje]; Occitan: Montpasièr) is a commune in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwest France, located 40 kilometres from Bergerac Airport. It is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") association, and in 2019 obtained the designation Ville et Metiers d'Art, thanks to the many artisans working in the village.
Key Information
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From 1790 to 2015, Monpazier was the capital of the canton of Monpazier.
History
[edit]
Monpazier is a 13th-century bastide town founded in 1285 by King Edward I of England, who was also Duke of Gascony. It was created by an act of paréage, whereby the lord of Biron supplied the land, Edward the authority and permission, with any profits from taxes or commercial activity split between the two. Like other bastides, it was constructed using a grid pattern, with a square at its centre, one end of which contains an open market hall. One of the best preserved, it contains many original features.[3]
Attractions and events
[edit]The parish church of Monpazier is St. Dominique, built from the 13th through the 16th centuries. The church was built in a rectangular parcel and adjoins with a corner of the marketplace. The apse was added in the fifteenth century and the choir was believed to have been completed in 1506.[4]
The town includes a four-star hotel named after its founder, the Hôtel Edward Premier.[5]
During the summer months, Monpazier hosts a number of events of interest to tourists, including a cycle race around the bastide (usually at the start of August), a medieval day ('fete medieval'), a Kermesse and several specialist markets. Each July the Chorale of Monpazier gives a concert in the church.
Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 656 | — |
| 1975 | 558 | −2.28% |
| 1982 | 533 | −0.65% |
| 1990 | 531 | −0.05% |
| 1999 | 516 | −0.32% |
| 2007 | 530 | +0.34% |
| 2012 | 506 | −0.92% |
| 2017 | 473 | −1.34% |
| Source: INSEE[6] | ||
Its inhabitants are called Monpaziérois.[7] The actor Julien Guiomar (1928-2010) spent his last years in Monpazier.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
- ^ "Populations de référence 2023" (in French). National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 18 December 2025.
- ^ Morris 2009, pp. 212–213.
- ^ "Monpazier - John Reps Bastides Collection". bastides.library.cornell.edu. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Hotel Edward 1er". Hotel Edward 1er. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ "Évolution et structure de la population en 2017 Commune de Monpazier (24280)". INSEE. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Dordogne". habitants.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
Sources
[edit]- * Morris, Marc (2009). A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain. Windmill Books. ISBN 978-0099481751.
External links
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Monpazier
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Geography
Location and topography
Monpazier is a commune located in the Dordogne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France, with geographic coordinates of 44°41′N 0°54′E.[4] It lies approximately 40 kilometers south of Bergerac Airport, providing convenient access for visitors.[5] The town is situated in the Périgord Pourpre area, positioned between the Dordogne River to the north and the Lot River to the south, within a landscape characterized by rolling hills and vineyards.[6] The topography of Monpazier features a hilltop setting, with elevations ranging from 144 meters to 222 meters above sea level and an average altitude of 183 meters, while the town hall stands at 200 meters.[4] Covering a total area of 0.53 square kilometers, the commune is compact and elevated, contributing to its strategic placement. Monpazier's intact hilltop bastide structure has earned it designations as a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and a Grand Site de France, highlighting its exceptional preservation within the regional landscape.[2][7]Climate
Monpazier experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb classification) with mild influences, characteristic of southwestern France and the broader Dordogne region.[8] Average temperatures in summer range from 20–25°C, with July highs reaching approximately 27–28°C and lows around 16°C. Winters are mild, with averages of 5–10°C, including January highs near 9°C and lows of about 2–3°C.[9] Annual precipitation totals 800–1,000 mm, distributed relatively evenly throughout the year but with wetter conditions in autumn, particularly October and November, which see around 7–9 rainy days per month. Summers occasionally feature short droughts, with July and August having only about 4 rainy days each.[9] This temperate climate supports viticulture in the surrounding areas, contributing to the production of Bergerac wines, and fosters the growth of Périgord black truffles, which thrive in the region's calcareous soils and seasonal moisture. The mild conditions enable year-round tourism, though visitor numbers peak during the warmer summer months when outdoor exploration is most comfortable.[10][11][12]History
Founding and medieval period
Monpazier was founded in 1284 under the authority of King Edward I of England, who held Aquitaine as Duke of Guyenne, through his seneschal Jean de Grailly.[13] The establishment resulted from a paréage agreement between Edward I and the lord of Biron, which allocated land and shared future revenues to encourage settlement in a sparsely populated frontier region.[14] A formal charter was issued in 1285, defining the town's governance, rights, and structure as a bastide—a planned fortified settlement designed to bolster English control amid ongoing Anglo-French tensions.[15] The primary purpose was military and strategic: to create a secure bastion that would protect trade routes, assert sovereignty over contested lands, and counter French influence in southwestern Aquitaine.[16] The town's layout exemplifies the bastide model, with a precise rectangular grid of streets organized around a central market square known as Place des Cornières, featuring arcaded porticos for shelter and commerce.[13] Enclosing the perimeter were defensive walls pierced by three tower-gates, enhancing its role as a stronghold while the plateau site provided natural defensive elevation against attackers.[17] This design not only facilitated efficient urban planning but also integrated economic and defensive functions, with uniform house plots allocated to settlers to promote rapid development.[14] Medieval growth was spurred by charter provisions offering incentives to attract settlers, including multi-year tax exemptions, freedom from certain feudal dues, and legal autonomies that appealed to peasants and merchants fleeing rural hardships.[18] These measures helped populate the town quickly, transforming it into a thriving community by the early 14th century. During the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453), Monpazier functioned as a key English bastion in Aquitaine, maintaining loyalty to the English crown and repelling assaults with its robust fortifications, thus sustaining only minimal damage while neighboring settlements suffered devastation.[19] The early economy revolved around agriculture from the surrounding fertile hinterland, which supplied grain, wine, and livestock to sustain the growing population and fuel trade.[20] Weekly markets were established from the town's inception in the central square, drawing vendors under the arcades and establishing Monpazier as a regional commercial hub that generated revenues through tolls and sales for both English authorities and local lords.[16]Modern developments
Monpazier has endured significant historical upheavals with remarkable continuity, remaining largely intact through the Wars of Religion (1562–1598) due to its fortress-like construction, which deterred major destruction despite regional conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.[21] The town also weathered the French Revolution with minimal alterations to its medieval core, as revolutionary disruptions primarily affected records rather than the physical structure.[21] This resilience underscores Monpazier's status as one of the best-preserved bastides in France, with few facades modified or rebuilt over centuries.[16] In the 19th and 20th centuries, Monpazier served as the administrative center of the canton of Monpazier, established in 1790 as part of France's departmental reorganization. This role persisted until the 2015 cantonal redistricting, when the canton was dissolved and its communes, including Monpazier, were integrated into the newly formed canton of Sud-Bergeracois.[22] Following World War II, Monpazier experienced notable growth in tourism, driven by its preserved medieval architecture and inclusion in broader Dordogne promotional efforts, attracting visitors seeking authentic bastide experiences.[23] In 2019, the town received the Ville et Métiers d'Art designation from the national network, recognizing its vibrant artisan community of over 20 craftspeople specializing in areas like ceramics, jewelry, and glassblowing, which has bolstered local commerce.[24] Ongoing restoration initiatives continue for its 32 classified historic monuments, ensuring the maintenance of structures from the 13th to 16th centuries without significant modern interventions.[25] In recent decades, Monpazier has faced population decline typical of rural bastides, with residents dropping to 442 as of 2022 amid broader depopulation trends in the Dordogne.[3] Despite these challenges, the absence of major destructions has preserved its reputation as the most intact bastide, supporting sustainable visitor numbers of approximately 300,000 annually.[26]Administration and demographics
Local government
Monpazier is an independent commune within the arrondissement of Bergerac in the Dordogne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.[27] Since the French cantonal reorganization in 2015, it has been part of the canton of Lalinde, which encompasses 46 communes and focuses on regional coordination for services like education and economic development.[28] Historically, from 1790 until the 2015 reform, Monpazier served as the capital of its own canton, overseeing administrative matters for surrounding communes including budget allocation, public works, and local elections.[29] The commune's governance is led by Mayor Fabrice Duppi, elected in 2020 for a six-year term ending in 2026, supported by a municipal council of 11 members responsible for daily operations.[30] The council manages essential local services, including the pedestrianization of the historic center to enhance accessibility and preserve the medieval layout, as well as heritage protection through initiatives like the Secteur Sauvegardé established in the 1990s to regulate urban modifications within the bastide walls.[31] Monpazier also participates in the Communauté de communes des Bastides Dordogne-Périgord, an intercommunal body that coordinates broader services such as waste management and transportation across 47 member communes.[27] Key municipal policies emphasize sustainable development, with a strong focus on tourism promotion through partnerships with the local tourist office and events highlighting the bastide's architecture.[32] Support for artisans is integral, fostering over 22 local craftspeople and artists via directories and market integrations to bolster the economy rooted in commerce and traditional trades.[33] Environmental conservation efforts include eco-pasturage programs using livestock to maintain green spaces and biodiversity without chemical interventions.[34] As a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association since 1982, Monpazier aligns its governance with national standards for cultural preservation and visitor enhancement.[32]Population trends
As of the 2022 census, Monpazier has a population of 442 inhabitants, with a density of 834 inhabitants per square kilometer across its 0.53 square kilometers of area.[35] The residents are known as Monpaziérois.[36] The commune's population has experienced a steady decline since its post-World War II peak, reflecting broader patterns of rural depopulation in the Dordogne region. According to INSEE census data, the population reached 656 in 1968 but fell to 558 by 1975, 533 in 1982, 531 in 1990, 516 in 1999, 522 in 2009, 526 in 2014, 452 in 2020, and further to 442 in 2022.[37] This downward trend, averaging an annual change of -2.5% between 2014 and 2020, has been driven by a negative natural balance and net outflows, resulting in a stable but small community today.[37][38] Demographically, Monpazier features an aging population, with 55.3% of residents aged 60 or older as of 2020, including 37.1% between 60 and 74 and 18.2% aged 75 and above.[37] This structure is partly offset by an influx of retirees attracted to the area's preserved heritage and serene environment, though younger age groups remain underrepresented (only 7.9% under 15 and 9.6% aged 15–29).[37] Immigration is limited, contributing minimally to population stability amid ongoing rural challenges.[37] Among notable residents, French actor Julien Guiomar (1928–2010), known for roles in films like Papy fait de la résistance, spent his later years in retirement in Monpazier, where he passed away.[39] No other prominent figures are prominently associated with the commune in recent records.| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 656 |
| 1975 | 558 |
| 1982 | 533 |
| 1990 | 531 |
| 1999 | 516 |
| 2009 | 522 |
| 2014 | 526 |
| 2020 | 452 |
| 2022 | 442 |