Molières, Dordogne

Molière is a commune with 324 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Dordogne, near Cadouin in the Aquitaine region.

Molière is the smallest Bastide in the region and was founded in 1284 by Jean de Grailly on behalf of the English King Edward I by Royal Charter on November 27, 1285. The town awarded the status was confirmed by the French kings Francis I and Henry II in October 1533 and in May 1551.

The arches of the Maison du Bayle located on the square in the town center. The church in the main street shows the typical English style of Plantagenet Gothic. On the opposite side of the town are the ruins of the Château de Molière are a Donjon. The Ghilem of Toulouse, seneschal of Perigord, built in 1316 Fixed obviously offered little protection. Molière was devastated during the Hundred Years War, rebuilt and again destroyed during the religious wars. A legend tells that Bertrand du Guesclin, on his return from Spain, the legitimate wife of the King of Castile, Blanche of Bourbon brought with him. He had saved from her husband, Peter I, the Cruel, who wanted to arrest them in order to live with his mistress can. Whether the Queen actually spent here is not known. The castle was popularly known as Château de la Reine Blanche.

Already in 1272 had Guillaume de Biron, donated Seigneur of Mont Ferrand -du- Perigord, in the parish of Saint -Jean -de- Molière's land to build a Bastide. This town is the Abbey Cadouin mentioned relevant document of 1115 in one. However, only generates a Saint -Jean -called place near the cemetery in the north of the village of this primitive first settlement.

Middle of the 19th century carried out archaeological excavations have some Gallo- Roman remains unearthed, including a Roman Aureus from the time of Nero. There are also around the village paths and roads that were used in ancient times or created by the Romans.