Travelling with MM: Bastide Villages in Perigord and The Lot France

30 May 2022

Bastide Villages in Perigord and The Lot France

Day 21 Travelled: 91km to Villereal, Monflanquin, Villeneuve sur Lot, Pujols France

Stay: Lac Bleu de Bergon - wild camping between the lake and the Canal du Midi (44.1253, 0.8415)

Villereal had a superb arcaded square with some half timbered buildings.

The 14th C covered market hall in its centre was made from oak pillars that had been soaked for 30 years in the nearby river. We presume this had done for most significant medieval buildings.

Monflanquin was another bastide town and has the ‘Most Beautiful Village in France” classification. It is set on a hilltop which we had to walk up from our camping-car designated parking.

It had a pretty arcaded square with trees in the centre.

Our next stop was in a larger town of Villeneuve sur Lot which originally also had a walled bastide historic centre.

Unfortunately due to commercial decline it lacked atmosphere. Although we were wowed by St.Cathrine church. The amazing brick and stone structure was built in Byzantine and Romanesque style.

The Pont Vieux created a picturesque scene with some buildings protruding over the Lot River.

Not far away the charming small fortified bastide village, Pujols, was another “most beautiful village of France”. We admired the flowers on the buildings.

The centre square had a lovely covered market hall and an impressive church.

Through the archway we enjoyed the panoramic view of the Lot Valley.

One of the routes of Santiago de Compestela can be started from here…it’s only 1140km away!

Although we still have a bit of driving to do to get to Dax, we where lured to spend some time along the Canal du Midi and call it a day…along the way we passed some lovely fertile countryside.