Monflanquin is a French bastide town - i.e. it was founded by the French, at a time when the English ruled much of this part of France, in the 13th century. Set on a hilltop, it is a very well preserved town, and is generally agreed to be one the best, most intact, examples of a bastide town. As always, I encourage you to explore the alleys and narrow side streets, because it is in these backstreets that history pours from every building.
The central square in Monflanquin, the Place des Arcades, has beautifully preserved arcades around the edges and some fine buildings. Perhaps most noteworthy and most impressive is the 'House of the Black Prince'.
The central square in Monflanquin, the Place des Arcades, has beautifully preserved arcades around the edges and some fine buildings. Perhaps most noteworthy and most impressive is the 'House of the Black Prince'.
The Black Prince stayed here for a while during the Hundred Years War, and not surprisingly had the best house for himself, but all the corner houses have suitably impressive stone arches (cornieres).
Just up from the square is a fine 15th century church, with an attractive stone entrance. Then go a little further to the top of the hill, for far-reaching views across open countryside, to Chateau Biron in the distance.
There are several good restaurants in Monflanquin, mostly around the central square. Warning - keep children away from the bottom left corner of the square, where there is a shop that sells irresistible toys made from wood.
The busiest days in Monflanquin's annual calendar are the medieval days - a couple of days in the summer, when the town has a festival filling the town, with exhibitions of falconry, people dressed in 'olden days' clothes, general goriness and so on. Don't miss it if you are in the region when it is on.
Just up from the square is a fine 15th century church, with an attractive stone entrance. Then go a little further to the top of the hill, for far-reaching views across open countryside, to Chateau Biron in the distance.
There are several good restaurants in Monflanquin, mostly around the central square. Warning - keep children away from the bottom left corner of the square, where there is a shop that sells irresistible toys made from wood.
The busiest days in Monflanquin's annual calendar are the medieval days - a couple of days in the summer, when the town has a festival filling the town, with exhibitions of falconry, people dressed in 'olden days' clothes, general goriness and so on. Don't miss it if you are in the region when it is on.
