Poised on its rocky perch, the village of Montpeyroux (after ‘mont pierreux’, ‘stony hill’) lives up to its name. This tiny village (population 357) has remnants of military history scattered around its cobbled streets, though archives detailing their history are scarce. Among five watchtowers and stocky walls built in golden arkose (sandstone), the citadel’s most splendid feature is the 14th-century entryway. Looming over the town is the 13th-century donjon, castle keep. During the second half of the 12th century this crenellated tower housed the local lord and served as storage; today it’s a viewing point for visitors to admire the scenery from 30m above Montpeyroux’s flower-strewn eaves and terracotta rooftops. Sleepy Montpeyroux was a centre for wine production until phylloxera (vine-eating aphids) wrought havoc on the industry, which in turn slashed the village’s population. But following careful restoration and being crowned as one of France’s most beautiful villages, Montpeyroux’s labyrinthine alleys and charismatic old walls are finding admirers once more.
