Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne

Saint -Michel -de- Montaigne ( Sent Miquèu the Montanha in Occitan ) is a commune with 362 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Dordogne and the Aquitaine region.

Geography

The village of Saint -Michel -de- Montaigne is located in the southwest of the Dordogne, approximately 75 km south-west of Périgueux and 40 km west of Bergerac. The nearest major town is Castillon- la -Bataille in the department of Gironde. For site include three hamlets: Illarets, Petit Moulin and Bonnefare. The community has a large forest area and it is primarily agricultural and viticulture.

Attractions

Church of St. Michel

The Church of St. Michael in the 12th century was destroyed during the Wars of Religion by fire partially. You could be restored at the beginning of the 17th century thanks to a donation from the wife of the Lord of Montaigne. Since 1970 she is a French cultural monument.

Castle Montaigne

The by Localities castle dates from the 16th and 17th century and was destroyed in 1885 to a large extent but soon again in the neo-renaissance style built. The park is surrounded by a palace is now open to the public and was the residence of the philosopher Michel de Montaigne family. The castle is a French cultural monument since 1952.

Personalities

The most famous son of the town is Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), parliamentary advisor, multiple Mayor of Bordeaux and the founder of the literary genre of the essay. He lived here in his castle Montaigne until his death. The castle is a major tourist destination today.