Monpazier

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.

Monpazier
Commune
The main square in Monpazier
Coat of arms
Location of Monpazier
Monpazier Show map of France Monpazier Show map of Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Coordinates: 44°40′54″N 0°53′42″E
Country	France
Region	Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Department	Dordogne
Arrondissement	Bergerac
Canton	Lalinde
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Fabrice Duppi[1]
Area 1	0.5 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]	442
• Density	880/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	24280 /24540
Elevation	144–222 m (472–728 ft) (avg. 200 m or 660 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

From 1790 to 2015, Monpazier was the capital of the canton of Monpazier.

History

Church of St Dominique - The west façade seen through one of the cornières (angle openings) of the main square of Monpazier

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

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

Historical population

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

• Communes of the Dordogne department