Bastides en Fête

An event to celebrate the bastides of the Southwest

Bastides en Fête is a unique event that highlights the medieval heritage of the bastides in Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne. Every year in October, 28 bastides come alive simultaneously to offer visitors three days of festivities celebrating these fortified villages founded in the 13th and 14th centuries, exceptional witnesses to medieval urban planning in the Southwest of France.

Monpazier, jewel of the bastides

Among the eight participating bastides in Dordogne, Monpazier holds a prime position. Founded in 1284 by King Edward I of England and listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, the bastide of Monpazier is considered one of the best-preserved bastides in the Southwest. For Bastides en Fête, Monpazier is partnering with the Château de Biron, located 8 kilometers away, to offer a rich program.

Varied and festive activities

The program in Monpazier includes a key-handing ceremony by an emissary from Biron, followed by a torchlight tour of the village accompanied by music. On Friday evening, the Place des Cornières comes alive with concerts. Sunday hosts La Monpaziéroise, an inaugural culinary competition, followed by a gourmet market. The Château de Biron offers medieval shows and historical activities for the whole family.

A network of 28 lively bastides

Beyond Monpazier, Bastides en Fête brings together 28 medieval villages spread across Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, each offering its own program: street shows, concerts, festive meals, markets, treasure hunts, hikes, guided tours, and exhibitions. This collective event contributes to the enhancement and promotion of this emblematic architectural and cultural heritage of the Southwest.