Find tranquility in the french countryside

Step Back in Time | Bastide Towns

The Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne regions are home to some of France’s most beautiful bastide towns — medieval fortified villages built in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Just minutes from LaFue, you’ll find a patchwork of cobbled squares, stone arcades, and half-timbered houses that seem frozen in time.

Eymet itself is one of the best-preserved bastides in southwest France. Founded in 1270 by Alphonse de Poitiers, it still follows the classic grid plan around a central square — now filled with cafés, restaurants, and galleries. The weekly market brings the square to life with the smell of fresh bread, ripe melons, and local wine.

Nearby bastide gems include:

• Issigeac – a circular medieval village famous for its Sunday market and ancient architecture.
• Monpazier – often called the “perfect bastide,” founded in 1284 and officially listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
• Villeréal – with its remarkable 14th-century wooden market hall and summer night markets.
• Lauzun and Miramont-de-Guyenne – smaller but full of charm, each with cafés, fairs, and local events.

Markets & Local Produce

Markets are at the heart of Dordogne life, and each town has its own rhythm and flavour.

Weekly Markets Near Eymet:

• Eymet – Thursday mornings: local produce, cheeses, wine, handmade goods.
• Issigeac – Sunday mornings: one of the most colourful markets in southwest France.
• Duras – Monday mornings: local honey, fruit, and Bergerac wines.
• Miramont – Monday mornings: classic French market with everyday essentials.

In summer (July–August), many towns host evening “marchés gourmands” — outdoor food markets where you can buy dishes directly from local producers, sit under the stars, and enjoy live music.

Bring your own cutlery, order a glass of wine, and join the locals at long communal tables — it’s the true Dordogne experience.