The Village

La Bastide is a superb example of the Bastide villages uniquely found in South West France – its central arcaded square looks much as it must have done in 1300, and is said to have inspired King Henry IV to build the Place des Vosges in Paris. 

There is a baker; a general shop; a pharmacy; a craftsman cutler, shops selling armagnac; a couple of crafts shops; a doctor; and a little bar which has been run by descendents of the original founders of the village for 900 years. Most mornings a local man has a stall selling locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Sometimes on Sundays there are stalls in the square where local smallholders sell fruit and vegetables, armagnac, confit de canard,  or freshly-pressed nut oils.   

There’s an excellent crêperie in the main square, open lunchtimes and some evenings. Theres now a friendly restaurant which is also open for tea and coffee during the day. And in July and August there is a wonderful ice-cream parlour. The main road runs around the village so it is quiet with no through traffic.  There’s also a village tennis court which you can just use, and on some summer evenings boules is played on the main square.