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Bastide (planned town)Lot

Beauregard

Beauregard

Dimensions
The grid plan of a bastide, a central square occupied by a market hall of the 15th century whose roof frame is covered with lauzes, a stone cross of the 15th century, a belfry held to be typical of medieval villages, two churches set back from the village and, not far off, the château de Marsa (or de Labastide), inscribed as a monument historique. The causse preserves the dolmens of the Bois des Escures and of the Combe du Cornier.
Period
Bastide estimated to be of the 13th century; market hall and cross of the 15th century; château de Marsa of medieval origin.
What stands there
The château de Labastide, known as de Marsa, is inscribed as a monument historique. Beauregard is among the bastides of the Lot listed by Wikipedia, but its foundation is attested by no known act: the plan alone bears witness.

On the causse de Limogne, south-east of Cahors, Beauregard is a small bastide of the Quercy which Wikipedia says would date from the 13th century, the time when new towns were multiplying in the South-West. No founder and no charter are documented: it is the plan that speaks, with its straight streets and its market-hall square at the centre of the village. The village was first called "Bel Regard", a name denoting a fine view or a fine manor house. There one sees a market hall of the 15th century with a stout roof frame covered with lauzes, a stone cross of the same century, a belfry and, away from the village, two churches, Saint-Laurent and Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. The château de Marsa, also called de Labastide, keeps watch nearby, and the surrounding causse preserves dolmens.

Further reading

Getting there : Free access to the village. The market hall and the square can be seen on foot; the château de Marsa is private property, visible from outside.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

See it on the map OpenStreetMap Directions

Ambient sound

Beauregard
Thérèse Gaigé · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Nearby

In the same department

All places — Lot (15).