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Medieval Towns
St Emilion
1199 was undoubtedly a crucial date for the city of ST.
EMILION. But one should not deduced that fast that it was born
from only one blow of rod of the famous enacted Cliff charter
on July 8 by John without Ground, duke of Aquitaine, England's
King in the first year of his reign..
The site of this place almost predestined by geology and the
climate intended it to be used since the starting of the
Humanity - since its ground returned at the day of the tools
of all the times of the Prehistory - which prestigious
vestiges Gallo-Roman and the tradition - already at the
Medieval Age - equipped with a busy frequentation at that
time, that the first centuries of Christianity attracted there
monasteries and the Breton Hermit which bequeathed his saint
name to him before the surge of the sarrasines hordes and
Normans who left the places devastated between laic and avid
hands of the Viscounts Olivier and Pierre-de-Castillon. It was
thus during centuries - from 4th to 11th - only one religious
city and it is this religious establishment, recovered after
the Millet "Millet" by the powerful episcopal hierarchy of
Aquitaine, -Goscelin de Phartenay in 1080 and Arnaud Guiraud
in 1110 - both archbishops of Bordeaux which reinstalled the
monastery in its capacity and its monacale vocation, in top of
Cliff, returning to him strength and richness with a church
and a convent drawn from its own entrails and which,
consequently, did not cease during the following centuries
developing, taking a strong importance on all the vicinity as
that always was the case -attracted with oneself the wandering
populations naturally established in these places.
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here to view the official website
Baynac
It is the most grandiose site in Périgord. From a distance,
you can see the 150 meter-high cliff, on which an impressive
fortified castle rests. From the terrace of the feudal castle,
besieged by Richard Lion Heart, then dismantled by Simon de
Montfort, the view over the Dordogne river is very unique. The
charming village, of Troglodyte origin, is located on the edge
of the cliff, by the river.
La Roque Gageac
A few kilometers from Beynac, bordered by the Dordogne river,
an other village is set against the cliff : La Roque Gageac.
In the Middle Ages, Sarlat’s bishops had their second
residence there. At the entrance of the village, the Neogothic
château de la Malartrie blends perfectly with the medieval
architecture. To the opposite, an elegant mansion with round
towers recalls the story of Jean Tarde’s family, a
mathematician, astronomer and historian. Following the alleys
which meander on the hill, you discover charming Périgord
houses nestled in a Mediterranean vegetation, favoured by a
micro-climate.
Rocamadour
Even before the 10th century, an ancient oratory dedicated to
the Virgin Mary was built against the cliff on the edge of the
spectacular Alzou Canyon.
Rocamadour became as important pilgrimage place in the
Christian West as Santiago de Compostella, thanks to the
progress of the Marian cult and thanks to the discovery, in
1166, of the body named St Amadour.
Unfortunately, the many religious wars laid waste to the
shrines and only in the 17th century was a new set of
liturgical pieces amassed. In the 19th century, a book on the
history of Rocamadour (Abbé Caillau 1842) revived the
pilgrimage. Today, Rocamadour remains a famous place which
offers pilgrims historical works and spiritual experiences.
click here to view the official website
Other Medical Towns (with bastides and castles) of note:
Sarlat
Domme
Eymet
Belves
Things to See in Dordogne:
Gardens
Chateau's
Cave's
Medieval Towns
Museums
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