Antiquity and nature co-exist in Issigeac
On the last full day Mum visited me, we went on a road trip to the south of Bergerac to check out some Bastides. Bastide essentially is another word for a medieval town. And the region, wait no, France, is full of them and they are spectacular.
The Bishop's Castle in Issigeac which is now the tourism office
That is definitely one thing I love about France and that is it’s old towns that have been preserved and it’s chateaus. Everywhere you look it seems you can see something of note and interest. That level of ubiquity might make you think that they wouldn’t be such a big deal, but that’s not the case. Each bastide, each chateau and each little town is gorgeous and exceptional in its own right. And me being a history buff, just loved it.
Old timber frames and small streets in Issigeac
One of the other great things, is that they are not very far apart by car and the countryside in this area of France is spectacular. So we headed off mid-morning and managed in our day to visit Issigeac, Villereal, Chateau de Biron and Monpazier. So I will tell you a bit about all of them. This post though will just be about the first two.
A man and his bear ... don't ask because I don't have the answer!
Issigeac is a small medieval village that dates back to roman times, located in the Périgord and is approximately 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Bergerac in Aquitaine in southwestern France.
If not enough room on the ground floor, just get bigger as you build up!
A village with roots in antiquity, today it is a quaint village with timbered houses circling the church and Bishop’s Palace (17th century). The village is circular in plan with most buildings of medieval half-timbered style (most are original) and still retains much of its 13th-century walls. However, it was pillaged in 1438.
The imposing church in Villereal
The village is set in the midst of wine country, close to the famous Chateau de Monbazillac and their famous sweet dessert wines. Mum and I did not get to that chateau.
Mum checks out the church inside
But Issigeac is small and quaint and for the most part quite quiet. Unless you are there on market day, it is a sleepy little bastide. So after a quick hour investigation and a coffee, Mum and I headed off to Villereal.
Mum dwarfed by the church door.
Villeréal was built in the 1200s, founded as a new town in the turbulent times just before the 100 years war. Villeréal still retains its original market hall, something of a rarity, and a market is still held there on a Saturday, maintaining a tradition that has continued for over 700 years. The town is also an extremely attractive, relaxing holiday destination, with winding medieval back streets and alleys, quaint, beautiful buildings and a fine fortified church.
An ornate door on the old hospital in Villereal
Villereal was bustling with a lot more activity than Issigeac and we quite liked its energy. The little alleyways and narrow streets really take you back in time as they have changed little in the last 500 years! So Mum and I did the requisite exploration and didn’t stop for long, for our next destination was Chateau de Biron, and I knew we would need time there. Poor Mum, all she wanted to do was to stop for a coffee! Soon Mum, soon.
This old building is in need of support - phew - wouldn't want that coming down.