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Explore France Holiday Guides Lot-et-Garonne Bastides: medieval new towns
| Bastides: medieval new towns |
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| Wednesday, 28 February 2007 | |
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The Lot-et-Garonne has no fewer than 42 bastide towns, built to meet the changing needs of society. Kings of both countries created many new towns, which became known as bastides, or villes neuves (villes nouvelles). They were usually built on a square grid plan with fairly narrow streets. The central space was left open for the market, instead of the church, as previously, and this was surrounded by arcades under which traders could operate in poor weather. Essential at the time were four strong walls for defence, with castle-type, fortified gateways. The intervening seven centuries have seen many changes, including the disappearance of fortifications in most places. Not all bastides, alas, have been completely preserved. In the Lot-et- Garonne we are fortunate to have Vianne, southwest of Agen, in the Pays d’Albret, where the street pattern and walls are almost intact. Other good examples of bastides are Miramont in the valley of the Dropt and Caudecoste in the Pays d’Agenais, not forgetting Pujols, Tournon, Beauville, Laparade (with a panoramic view over the Lot valley), Puymirol, Sainte-Livrade, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Monflanquin, Castelnaud-de- Gratecambe and Durance. Today, the central market squares still serve their original purpose and the arcades make pleasantly shaded café and restaurant terraces. |
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