Castillonnes is a fascinating medieval town in the south-west of France in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. This lies just north of the Dordogne in the region of Aquitaine. The pace of life in this area of great natural beauty is relaxed, and the climate warm and sunny for much of the year. Everywhere you go within Lot-et-Garonne there are rolling hills, wild meadows, stunning valleys and towns, and villages steeped in history. If you’re thinking of investing in French property in a truly rural and peaceful location, this is a great place to start your search.
The Lot-et-Garonne has a large number of Bastide towns, which are fortified ‘new’ towns built during the medieval period. Like the other nearby towns of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Monflanquin, Monpazier, and Issigeac, Castillonnes has a typical ‘Bastide’ layout, with a central cloistered square and a fine church at one corner. The town boasts some of the most traditional properties in France, ideal as holiday centres, second homes, or as permanent homes if you want to settle in France for good.
The name ‘Castillonnes’ comes from the French, castillo neu, meaning ‘new castle’ and refers to its origins on the site of a much older, ruined castle that was built on a high rocky outcrop. The town plan was developed by Alphonse de Poitiers to follow the natural contours of the hill, and who began work in 1259 just before the start of the 100 years war in France. As well as the lovely traditional market place in the arcades in the town square, Castillonnes also has a covered hall and clock tower. This is an excellent vantage point to look down upon the beautiful Dropt valley south the town, and towards some of the charming local villages in which traditional, rural properties occasionally come up for sale.
The town is relatively unaffected by tourism but is active and vibrant, with many traditional shops and trades, including several French estate agents. These advertise property for sale in the town itself, and in the surrounding countryside and smaller villages. As Castillonnes is small with only 1350 inhabitants, there is quite a lot of competition for the French property that’s available. When searching online for potential properties it’s a good idea to widen your search to include the nearby towns, particularly the larger centres at Bergerac (25 kilometres away) and Villeneuve sur Lot (34 kilometres away), to pick up everything for sale in the Lot-et-Garonne area.
Castillonnes is an ideal centre to explore the whole region of Aquitaine and the Dordogne, which boast many chateux, including those at Biron, Beynac, and Bonaguil, and the stunning caves at Domme. In addition to the historical attractions, the area is full of natural beauty and rich in traditional French rural and agricultural features, making it an ideal place to buy French property as an investment for lucrative summer rentals, or a permanent family home.
