Situated in the Aquitaine region of southwest France, the small, picturesque town of Monflanquin is one of the 150 that made it onto the list of the “most beautiful villages in France”. And with good reason, as the town's location, architecture and historical significance make it one of the most popular destinations in this part of the country. If possible, try to make your first approach to Monflanquin from the direction of nearby Villeneuve-sur-Lot, as you get some of the best views of the fortified village from this stretch of road.
Typical of many of the “bastide” or fortified towns of this region, Monflanquin is one of the best preserved examples in the whole of Aquitaine, with its town walls, watch towers and keep still mostly intact. The rest of the village is all winding, medieval streets, chapels and historic buildings, including the House of the Black Prince where the great warrior himself stayed during the Hundred Years War. This is located on the main square which is the cultural centre for both tourists and locals. Here is where the weekly market is held, where you can find many of the best restaurants and where you can join in with the festivities on Monflanquin's medieval days.
Celebrating the town's rich heritage, these days usually involve locals dressing up in traditional costumes and giving demonstrations of activities such as archery, falconry and even local cookery. For the more bloodthirsty, there are a couple of war re-enactments in the summer, which attract visitors from miles around.
The pleasant countryside around Monflanquin is always popular with walkers and cyclists, while many of the country roads offer plenty of places for drivers to pull over and enjoy the views too. Within a few miles of the village is the valley of Gavaudun and the impressive medieval castle, built on a rocky cliff, that dominates the area. Visitors can climb the main tower, which stands 70 metres tall, and provides dizzying views over the whole of the Lot-et-Garonne departement, much further afield than Monflanquin itself.
There are several other bastides in this part of France, all with their own interesting historical stories and architecture. You could easily visit both Monflanquin and the nearby Villereal in one day, if you are passing through the area. Villereal boasts an unusual medieval market hall that is still used for weekly events, while the local tourist office has helpfully produced leaflets outlining tours of the area, both on foot and in the car.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Monflanquin? Then below is a selection of gites in Monflanquin and villas in Monflanquin that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
