What are the Bastides?
At the Soleil des Bastides campsite, we often hear, from young and old alike: What is a Bastide? We'll try to summarize it before you come and discover it for yourself.
In the heart of the Tarn department, in the Occitanie region, are the bastides albigeoises. These medieval towns were built in the 13th and 14th centuries in order to develop agriculture and trade in the region. They constitute today a remarkable architectural and cultural heritage.
The origins of the Albigensian bastides date back to the beginning of the 13th century, when the Albigensian region, located in the southwest of France, was plagued by numerous conflicts. King Philip Augustus decided to create new towns, called "bastides", in order to organize the territory and promote economic development. The bastides were thus cities built according to a regular plan, with perpendicular streets and central squares.
The first Albigensian bastide was built in 1222 in Cordes-sur-Ciel, which quickly became a prosperous city thanks to the craft industry and the wool trade. Other bastides quickly followed, such as Castelnau-de-Montmiral in 1222, Puycelsi in 1240 or Bruniquel in 1260. These towns were often built on hills, offering an unobstructed view of the valley and allowing for easier defense.
The Albigensian bastides experienced a period of prosperity in the 14th century, with the growth of agriculture and the wine and grain trade. The towns developed and acquired remarkable buildings, such as churches, convents, castles and bourgeois houses. The Albigensian bastides also played an important role during the Hundred Years War, serving as strongholds and refuge for the local population.
However, during the following centuries, the Albigensian bastides experienced an economic and demographic decline, notably because of competition from the large cities of the region, such as Toulouse or Montpellier. Some towns were even abandoned, like Lafrançaise or Montauban-de-Luchon.
Today, the bastides of Albigensia attract visitors for their historical and architectural heritage. The cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, Gothic churches and central squares are all witnesses to the history of these medieval towns. The Albigensian bastides are also renowned for their gastronomy, with local products such as Gaillac wine, foie gras and truffles.
In short, the bastides of Albigensia are witnesses of the medieval history and the organization of the territory in the southwest of France. They represent a remarkable architectural and cultural heritage, which attracts many visitors each year.