The visit of the bastide of Castillonnès

Castillonnès is a place of life, a calm and interesting place to discover to immerse yourself in the history but also the daily life of Lot-et-Garonne. Come on a market day or take a break to stroll along its Grand'Rue where there are local shops typical of the quiet villages of the region.

Photos of the report: Lot-et-Garonne Guide

A city of royal origin

Castillonnès was founded in 1259 by the brother of King Saint-Louis (Louis IX), Alphonse de Poitier. Perched on a small hill (called Pech in the region), 60% of its surface belonged to the Abbey of Cadouin in the Périgord Noir. Before that time, it is estimated that the occupation of the town dates back to the Iron Age, because a tumulus (the largest of the 3 in the region) is present at the bottom of the village. It is a funerary monument, an embankment made of earth which was erected there to cover a funerary urn.

Castillonnès is located halfway between Bergerac (in the Dordogne) and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. It is a very pleasant stopover, especially on Tuesdays, when the weekly market with its local producers and traders takes place in the centre. The heart of this small village-like city is not very big, it is arranged around the Place des Cornières. On this place of commerce is also a covered hall, surmounted by a watchtower in a pepper pot and a very pretty pinnacle, made by a local carpenter, at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a building which has multiple vocations, one meets there or one organizes fairs and gatherings there.

Visit of Castillonnes

It will not take you very long because the town is compact, it is an opportunity for a pleasant walk, especially on market days or during summer days to take advantage of the calm of the place and go for a coffee or a drink in the heart. of the bastide.

Park outside the town, if possible near the pretty Castillonnès cinema, which is also a theatre, set up in the buildings of the former 18th century hospice and completely renovated. It is managed by volunteers and an association, to proudly fulfill its social and cultural vocation in this small village of Lot-et-Garonne!

Start your walk by heading towards the central square of the city, the Place des Angles. You will notice that like all the bastides, these new towns of the Middle Ages, Castillonnès has a plan with parallel and perpendicular streets which converge towards the central square.

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela passes through Castillonnès, there is even a stopover in its presbytery, from April to September. It's a small apartment with everything you need to rest. This is an opportunity to tell you about the church of Castillonnès. It has a funny history, although it dates from the 13th century, it was destroyed 3 times: by the English and not the French, then a third time by the storm...

In Castillonnès, a nobility settled, notably the Thomazeau family, who made their fortune in the 18th century in the West Indies. You will see their private mansion in stone with its paved courtyard behind its wrought iron gate, rue du Petit Paris. It is the only listed monument in the city, but not the least! There is a viewpoint at the end of the street.

For further…

• After visiting the city, gourmets will enjoy a stop at Rody Chocolaterie. It's not just a shop, it's also a Chocolate Museum, to learn more about the Cocoa Pod and its transformation into this black gold that we all appreciate! The workshop allows you to create your own chocolate.
• In season, you will enjoy a refreshing break at the municipal outdoor swimming pool of Castillonnès, it has 3 pools, a paddling pool, slides and a play area.
• A museum on the history of the city is located at Place des Angles.
  

We wish you a pleasant visit to Castillonnès!

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