Visiting the bastide of Castillonnès

Castillonnès
Culture and Heritage

Castillonnès is a vibrant, peaceful, and interesting place to discover, immersing yourself in the history and everyday life of Lot-et-Garonne. Come on market day or simply stroll along its main street, lined with local shops typical of the region's tranquil villages.

A city of royal origin

Castillonnès was founded in 1259 by Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis (Louis IX). Perched on a small hill (known locally as a "Pech "), 60% of its land belonged to the Abbey of Cadouin in the Périgord Noir region. Before this period, it is estimated that the area was inhabited during the Iron Age, as evidenced by the presence of a tumulus (the largest of the three in the region) at the foot of the village. This burial mound, an earthen embankment erected to cover a funerary urn, is a funerary monument.

Castillonnès is located halfway between Bergerac (in the Dordogne) and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. It's a very pleasant place to stop, especially on Tuesdays when the weekly market, with its local producers and vendors, takes over the town center. The heart of this town, which has the feel of a small village, is quite compact, centered around the Place des Cornières. This market square also features a covered market hall, topped with a pepperpot turret and a charming little bell tower, crafted by a local carpenter in the early 20^th century. This multi-purpose building serves various purposes, hosting gatherings, fairs, and other events.

Visit to Castillonnès

It won't take you very long because the town is compact, it's an opportunity for a pleasant stroll, especially on market days or during summer days to enjoy the calm of the place and go for a coffee or refreshment in the heart of the bastide.

Park outside the town, if possible near the charming cinema in Castillonnès, which is also a theatre, housed in the fully renovated buildings of the former 18th ^- century hospice. It is run by volunteers and an association, proudly fulfilling its social and cultural mission in this small village in Lot-et-Garonne!

Begin your walk by heading towards the town's central square, the Place des Cornières. You will notice that, like all bastides, these new towns of the Middle Ages, Castillonnès has a plan with parallel and perpendicular streets that converge on the central square.

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela passes through Castillonnès, and there's even a stopover at its presbytery from April to September. It's a small apartment with everything you need to rest. This gives me the opportunity to tell you about the church in Castillonnès. It has a strange history; although it dates back to the 13th century, it was destroyed three times: first by the English, but not the French, and then a third time by a storm…

On Sunday evenings during the summer season, there are friendly gourmet evenings organised in Castillonnès, in addition to the market on Tuesday mornings.

In Castillonnès, a noble family settled, notably the Thomazeau family, who made their fortune in the 18^th century in the West Indies. You'll see their stone townhouse with its paved courtyard behind its wrought-iron gate on Rue du Petit Paris. It's the only listed monument in the town, but certainly not the least! There's a viewpoint at the end of the street.

To go further…

After exploring the city, those with a sweet tooth will appreciate a stop at Rody Chocolaterie. It's not just a shop; it's also a chocolate museum, where you can learn more about the cocoa pod and its transformation into this dark gold we all love! The workshop allows you to create your own chocolate.
During the season, you will appreciate a refreshing break at the Castillonnès municipal outdoor swimming pool. It has 3 pools, a paddling pool, water slides and a play area.
A museum about the history of the city is located in Place des Cornières.