Monségur is a commune in the Gironde department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 14 km northeast of La Réole.
Its territory of nearly 10 km² is located in the former province of Guyenne, and on the "eastern" part of the natural and cultural region of Entre-deux-Mers bordered by the courses of the Dordogne in the north and the Garonne to the south.
The village was established on a height dominating the valley of the Dropt, a tributary of the Dordogne. The surrounding countryside, where a few hamlets are located, has remained bucolic and rural: arable land, crops and various agricultural areas cover 83% of the municipal area.
Monségur was founded in 1265 by the Queen of England Eléonore de Provence, wishing to consolidate the authority of the Plantagenet dynasty in the Bordeaux region while King Henry III was facing the revolt of the barons in England.
Monségur is therefore a bastide, that is to say a small new town built according to a geometric plan around its central square. It was gradually populated by populations from the north, thus becoming an enclave where the langue d'oïl was spoken in the heart of Gascony…
Despite the vicissitudes of history, especially when it was besieged by royal Catholic troops during the Wars of Religion, the bastide preserved its charm and picturesqueness. The rich heritage and cultural vitality of Monségur (nearly 1600 inhabitants) justify a stopover during a stay in the Southwest.
A visit to the bastide which has retained its character and its charm of yesteryear is dotted with numerous heritage sites. On the religious level, this is the case of the Notre-Dame church, erected in the 13th century, at the same time as the village. Comprising a single nave with side chapels, displaying a Gothic style, only its apse is original. There have been successive changes: the nave was vaulted in brick in the 18th century and in the 19th century, the portal and the bell tower were restored in a neo-Gothic style. Listed in the Inventory, it retains bells from the 15th and 16th centuries, holy water fonts and a painting of Christ on the cross classified as objects.
A Cross of the Passion dating from 1808, the work of a local blacksmith, is also protected.
In terms of civil heritage, go to the center of the bastide, that is to say on the Place de la Halle: on its four sides, the shops and residential buildings have galleries with arches on the ground floor. The remodeled and restored buildings, some include elegant balconies with wrought iron railings. The "highlight" of the place is the central hall, listed in the Inventory, which was built in two stages. Exterior galleries were first built enclosing a square (1866), then, in 1897, the latter was replaced by a covered hall in the form of a glass roof. Cast iron, glass and stone are thus harmoniously associated, evoking a Baltard-style pavilion.
The Governor's tower (15th century), hexagonal in shape, displaying a flamboyant Gothic style, a number of half-timbered houses, the "ruets" (alleys parallel to the main thoroughfares, the width of which is barely sufficient to let a cart) dotted with houses and old barns are also very interesting and pleasant to explore in an overall reduced area. Finally, the dwelling at 24 rue de la Porte de La Réole, listed in the Inventory, whose modest facade hides sumptuous decorations (woodwork, staircase with iron railing in the interior courtyard, frescoes) but also the walkway and the ramparts that go around the bastide: a true testimony to the fortified past of the city, which reveals an 1800 m long promenade punctuated by unparalleled viewpoints.
Guided tours for the general public, even fun ones for children, are offered in season. Contact +33 5 56 61 39 44.
On the cultural side, Monségur has choice equipment with the Eden cinema, managed by an association, and classified as "art and essay". The programming is varied and of high quality. Debates and meetings are frequently offered on the sidelines of the screenings. Price: 6 and 7 euros. Information on +33 5 56 71 95 58.
For athletes, the town has a swimming pool with two open-air pools: ideal for combining swimming and idleness! Open in July and August. Price: 2 and 3 euros. Information on +33 3 5 56 61 63 68. In addition, football pitches are available, as well as tennis courts (to be reserved with the club on +33 6 49 32 69 27).
In summer, the Pôle nature du Dropt, on the banks of the river, north of the village, is very pleasant for picnics, walks in a shady setting, but also fishing and water activities (canoe trips). Join +33 5 56 61 39 44.
From the village, many hiking or mountain biking are possible. The routes follow the plots of vines, the charms of the Dropt valley or join larger itineraries such as the variant of the way to Saint Jacques de Compostela from Vézelay... Maps and information on +33 5 56 61 82 73 or on +33 5 56 61 39 44. It is also possible to join the outings of the local club: contact +33 6 40 73 65 21.
Along the way, breaks with tasting are possible at independent winegrowers... Unless you opt for the local cooperative created in 1936, known as Les Vignerons Réunis, which has 170 members and produces wines with the Bordeaux or Entre-deux-mers appellations. Information on +33 5 56 61 61 85.
