The historical heritage of the Pays Foyen

Between Dordogne and vineyard hillsides, Pays Foyen unveils a heritage of unsuspected richness, a witness to a history shaped by men, the land and time.
Of its medieval country houses has his Romanesque churches, through its mills et wine castlesEach village tells a fragment of this living memory of the Southwest.

The fortified towns of the Pays Foyen: Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Pellegrue

Founded in 1255, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande is a royal bastide typical of the 13th century, built on a grid plan around its central arcaded square.
Take a walk through its medieval lanesadmire his half-timbered facades and his weekly Saturday morning marketranked among the most beautiful in France.
This fortified town on the Dordogne River combines history, lifestyle and living heritage.

Founded in 13th century on a rocky spur, bastide of Pellegrue is one of eight bastides of the Gironde. In 1272, Henry III of England plans to build a bastide adjoining the castle town, and it is his son Edward I who is creating this foundation in 1274.
The bastide, encompassing the castle town, corresponds to a a square approximately 200 meters on each sidesurrounded by ramparts and protected by moats.
Its development is based on the traditional octagonal system, with a Central place where several buildings stood, including the town hall topped by a belfry.
Today, Pellegrue retains this unique historical plan, and offers a panoramic view of the hills and vineyards of the Pays Foyen, a testament to the rich medieval heritage of the Gironde region.

The Romanesque churches of the Pays Foyen

The territory is home to a remarkable collection ofRomanesque churches, often discreet but rich in history and architecture.
Their simplicity and sculpted decorations testify to the fervor and know-how of the builders of yesteryear.

Among the most iconic:

• Listrac-de-Dureze
• Thoumeyragues
• Auriolles
• landerrouat
• Excavator (Saint Andrew's Church)
• Massugas

These buildings, sometimes isolated at a bend in the road, invite the contemplation and discovery of authentic Romanesque art.

Small rural heritage sites: mills, wash houses and fountains

Le Pays Foyen is also dotted with a small rural heritage which tells the story of daily life in the past: windmills or watermills, laundries, fountains et crossroads.
These accounts of rural and artisanal life help us understand the link between humans and their environmentand to discover places steeped in history and memory

Wine estates: heritage and know-how

Le wine heritage the Pays Foyen can be discovered through its castles and estatestrue symbols of the history and culture of wine.
Some areas offer visits, tastings and walks in the heart of the vineyards, combining the pleasure of wine and heritage discovery.

Examples of remarkable castles:

• Parenchère Castle et Courroneau Castle à leaguey
• Barrail Castle à Eyness

These areas combine architecture, history and a passion for wineand make the Pays Foyen a land where wine and heritage meet.

Discover the Pays Foyen, step by step

Explore the historical heritage of the Pays FoyenIt's like traveling through the centuries: medieval fortified towns, Romanesque churches, mills and wine estates They are discovered at the pace of walks and visits.
Every stone, every alleyway, and every vine tells a story unique story, in the heart of a territory preserved, authentic and alive.