Domme or Monpazier?
 

The list of things to do for a week based near Sarlet is getting longer and longer...

Another possibly esoteric question. Of Domme and Monpazier, which is the better to visit to get an impression of a small bastide town? We are not into touristy things like shopping or eating. Architecturally which would most repay a visit? Which is likely to be less busy?

Thanks

>>. Architecturally which would most repay a visit?<<

Monpazier. I'm not really sure why they call Domme a Bastide town.

>>Which is likely to be less busy?<<

Monpazier. Domme is quite touristy, and busy from June through Sept.

Visit Monpazier to discover what a Bastide town looks like, and Domme for the views of the Dordogne River.

Stu Dudley

Monpazier is THE classic bastide town. Domme is a bastide, too (you can tell by the way the town are laid out, but it's far less obvious). Monpazier is less busy than Domme, likely because it's farther removed from the main sites. Also, Monpazier has easy parking outside the bastide. To park in Domme you have to wind up a steep hill and go through the narrow passage under the city walls; same thing leaving. A pain in high season. The views are indeed spectacular, though.

Another vote for Monpazier, which is still very much a bastide, and not quite as busy as Domme. When we were there actually on a tour some years ago the guide pointed out the peaks built into the corners so that soldiers with lances could ride out quickly.

If you go, check out also Cadouin, beautiful abbey, wonderful cloisters, and nice village. And you will almost certainly go through Belves on the way, also intersting (with troglodyte dwellings in the centre of town)

I see that on several posts you refer to Sarlet. You should know before you arrive that it is Sarlat.

Have a wonderful time.

I didn't see any reason not to go to both of them, but I wasn't there in high season. In October, Monpazier was beyond quiet.

I would cast another vote for Monpazier. It is a larger and, I think, more interesting town. (OTOH, the views from the Esplanade in Domme are unequaled.)I would avoid market day in Monpazier as it is very crowded.

Next to the parking area on the east side of town, the "Bistro 2" is a great place for lunch.

Thank you for all your replies. Spelling never was my strong point and I really will try and remember SarlAt!

We'll be there mid/late May and I'm hoping we will miss the worst of the crowds. We'll be visiting Beynac-et-Cazenac and also La Roque Gageac. How do views from these compare with Domme?

We are intending to visit Belvès and I had been wondering about the Troglodyte dwellings. How do they compare with La Roque St-Christophe or La Madeleine.

<i>I'm not really sure why they call Domme a Bastide town.</i>

Because it was built on a quadrilinear system for defensive purposes.

While in the Monpazier area, I would check out the chapel by the cemetery of Montferrand: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623717079199

There aren't really "views" in Beynac and La-Roque-Gageac, unless you trudge up the steep pathways to the upper parts of the town, and then you're just looking down at the river. Domme has VIEWS!

No views from Beynac?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623164797649

Monferrand is definitely on the list. I discovered this quite by chance last night and my jaw fell when I saw the pictures of the frescoes. It doesn't get a mention in the guide books...

If you do go to Monpazier, drop into the Office de Tourisme on the central square and pick up a walking guide to the village, which gives you architectural and historical notes as you go around it. Also, a visit to Chateau Biron about 6 km's south is worth adding to the trip (takes about an hour to go through on a self-guided walk), as well as Cadouin Abbey (16km north of Monpazier) as mentioned by Carlux. And I'm with Ackislander - if you go to La Roque Gageac (which is small with a lovely riverside aspect), why not visit Domme, just up the road, which offers views of the river from on high. The views there are worth it! As far as Belves goes, the village is beautiful, but if you're pressed for time, go to St Christophe for the troglodyte dwellings, which are larger, more interesting and open more hours than the ones in Belves.

rosemaryoz, I have indeed been to La Roque Gageac and Domme and Belves, though not, malheureusement, St Christophe.

If I were going to be renting for a long stay, particularly off season, I would be more likely to rent in Belves than the other villages, though in fact I might rent in one of the larger towns like Perigeux.

just adding this to my list... also staying in Sarlat for a few days this year.

schnauzer

Is a day trip that includes Domme, La Roque, Beynac and Monpazier (from a base in Sarlat) too busy?

Domme/La Roque/Beynac are right beside one another. Depends how much time you want to spend in each, but if you get up early you can do all three in the morning. Monpazier is another hour or so further on.

Interesting to find someone else who's been to Montferrand, very little known. Most of my French neighbours have never been. Some of the most beautiful frescoes ever.
http://cettesemaineacarlux.blogspot....us-petite.html

Thank you for all the extra information and especially the comment about the troglodyte dwellings at Belves. General concensus seems to be those at La Roque St Christophe are the best.

Don't worry Isabel. I've decided I need to break this up into two days. We'll spend one day around Beynac, La Roque Gageac and Domme (plus anything else that takes our fancy). I've decided that Montferrand would make a good day tied in with Urval, Monpazier, Belves... This would get us away from the major tourist sites which would be nice.

<i>I've decided that Montferrand would make a good day tied in with Urval, Monpazier, Belves...</i>

Don't leave out Cadouin.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623717079199

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