Local Attractions & Thing To Do
La Maison Anglaise occupies a central position in the beautiful historic bastide of Monpazier, one of “Plus beaux villages de France”. With an abundance of shops and restaurants, this stunning property is ideally located for visitors seeking a base for touring the Dordogne region. Monpazier is thirty minutes drive from Bergerac airport.
The region also offers wine tasting, bustling markets, beautiful châteaux, as well as canoe and boat trips on the Dordogne. Live music with dancing and dining en plein air, hiking, horse trotting racing… the list is endless!”
The nearby main cobbled square is home to a weekly market and an auditorium for plays, musical recitals and live gigs. The surrounding old medieval buildings are squeezed in side by side, their upper floors bathed in sunshine, below the doorways of the shops and restaurants hide under the shaded arcaded walkways. Relax with a glass of wine or a coffee in the plaza and enjoy this quintessential French experience.
Your hosts are on hand to recommend the best places to eat, great markets, the finest vineyards and can help with any other questions you may have to make your stay perfect.
Markets
The central square, equipped with a market hall (halle), is at once the centre of village life and an internationally important heritage site. The “Place des Cornières” was the place of trade and justice – and, just as today, of village gossip. For 700 years there has been a market here every Thursday morning that grows from a handful of stalls in midwinter to take over much of the village in summer.
Monpazier is also one of the principal annual markets for truffles and cèpes (porcini mushrooms) and an important flower market is held in May. Few mini-markets can be housed in such dramatic surroundings.
There is a “Market” everyday, somewhere, locally (details available).
Entertainment
A small outdoor theatre hosts occasional productions and summertime outdoor movies; however the village square is the principal venue for “manifestations” – concerts, dances, theatre, communal meals, weddings and vintage car shows. Throughout the year, the square hosts numerous “brocantes” (antique or flea market), vide greniers (garage sale) and in late summer early Autumn, a book fairs and exhibitions.
The square has been the set for numerous period movies and TV dramas including Les Misèrables (a 1982 French production), D’Artagnan (with Catherine Deneuve and Tim Roth), Fanfan la Tulipe (Vincent Perez and Penèlope Cruz) and more recently Ridley Scott’s epic, The Last Dual (featuring Ben Affleck, Adam Driver and Matt Damon).
On the International front, the village hosts a night cycle race, usually on the last Thursday of July. Brave competitors circumnavigate at high speeds the orbital roads of Monpazier for 65 laps, starting as the sun begins to set.
Shops and Facilities
The village of Monpazier is approximately 400 metres by 220 and has fewer than 600 inhabitants. It has two mini-markets, 2 butchers, 2 boulangeries, 9 restaurants, an ice cream parlour, contemporary and traditional cafes, a library, farm produce shops and over 20 assorted clothes, antique, craft and jewellery shops.
Artists and craftsmen (artisans) including a glassblower, ceramic sculptor, frame-maker, watchmaker, potters and marquetry, all have workshops (atéliers) and showrooms in the village. The village pharmacy tends to the wellbeing of inhabitants and visitors with support from local doctors and nurses.
Wines of Bergerac (local area)
Bergerac is a wine growing region of some 2000 years to the east of it’s more illustrious wine growing neighbour “Bordeaux”. The Bergerac vineyards extend across the southern part of the Dordogne department covering the hilly land either side of the Dordogne river. With similar soil and climate conditions (with some variations from being more inland) wines every bit as good as their noisy neighbours can be found through “local” wine tasting – Highly recommended!
Famous “Appellations” of Bergerac (Pecharmont, Monbazillac, Saussignac and Montravel) product excellent wines from dry wines, mellow reds to sweet dessert wines which can be drunk now or stored for many years.
Learn about the subtleties of grape varieties (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, Semillon, cabernet franc and muscadelle) by visiting different “Appellations” either through an organised tour or we can give specific vineyard recommendations. And we have tried a few!
Restaurants & Bars
Chez Minou – 55 Rue Notre Dame, 24540 Monpazier – Live music more often than not during summer weekends, frequented by many locals, great atmosphere. Main courses from €10 – 15.
Bistrot 2 – Foirail Nord 24540 Monpazier – Open every day 9am – 10pm except Fridays. Overlooks a large square with outside lounge chairs and shaded dining. Delightful food and very friendly service.
Privilage du Perigord – Probably regarded as one of the up market restaurants in Monpazier. Relatively small with both inside and outside eating. Excellent menu but a little bit more expensive than some others but definitely worth a visit. Would recommend booking early during the peak season.
Ecureuil Cafe – Situated in the main square, this is the hip place for coffee, milkshakes, smoothies and a range of other goodies. You can also get a lovely breakfast and all day snacks in pleasant surroundings either outside or in their industrial style interior.
Bière de la Bastide – Artisan Brewery. English type beers. Brewery tours and tastings. Beer club and much MUCH more. A visit is a must during your stay. Check out their website for seasonal events. They also have Gins, wines, Cocktails and an extensive menu of lovely “pub” grub …….. Open every day during the high season.
La Reserve De L’Ecureuil – Wine Bar situated next to the Ecureuil Cafe. Open 7pm – 11pm Thursday – Sunday but every evening during the peak season. Some very nice wines and meat/cheese platters to nibble on.
There are other places for lunch and dinners but always check beforehand.
Nearby Places of Interest
Monpazier welcomes thousands of visitors each year. It is an excellent centre for visiting nearby towns such as:
Biron, Belvès, Villeréal, Beaumont, Monflanquin, Issigeac.
Bergerac, Monbazillac, Domme and the incredible fortresses of Beynac and Castelnaud, on the beautiful Dordogne River, are all less than 45 minutes away through fields of sunflowers, walnut groves, prune trees and vines.
The beautiful gardens of Marqueyssac near Vézac.