Filming in Monpazier

Monpazier is a beautiful medieval town, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France. For this reason, there is often filming in Monpazier for movies set in medieval locations.

Perhaps the best-known is Ridley Scott’s film ‘The Last Duel‘ staring Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Ben Affleck. It’s a really interesting film telling the story of an alleged rape and the subsequent duel, the last in France to be sanctioned by the king, between the husband of the victim and the alleged rapist. It was believed that God would vanquish whoever was lying during the duel.

When you see the film, you’ll see Monpazier during the market scene and at the end when someone (no spoiler alerts here!) rides through Paris in glory. Yes, Monpazier is used as the location for Paris, with Notre Dame being built in the background!

Watching the set designers transform the square in Monpazier was really interesting. Drainpipes were camouflaged, more recent facades of buildings were completely covered by a new facade, and the square was filled with produce, hay, horses and smelly-looking people!

More recently Monpazier was used as a film-set for a French film, “d’Adieu monsieur Haffmann” which hasn’t been released yet.

So when you come to stay at Le Mas & Le Mazet, make sure you go to Monpazier and see if you recognise it from the films.