Читать книгу Walking in the Dordogne. 35 walking routes in the Dordogne - Sarlat, Bergerac, Lalinde and Souillac онлайн

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When the Romans arrived and conquered the whole of Gaul, they brought with them law and order, building new towns and roads, and planting the first vineyards. In AD16 Emperor Augustus established the province of Aquitania which extended over most of south-western France, from Poitiers to the Pyrenees. Under the ‘Pax Romana’ there was peace for three centuries and the region flourished, but it was not to last.

Romanesque church at St-Geniès (Walk 22)

Roman dominance crumbled in the fifth century as Germanic tribes pushed into Gaul, first the Visigoths and then the Franks, who gave their name to modern France. Christianity now began to spread throughout the region, and many abbeys and churches were founded. Aquitaine became increasingly powerful, first a duchy and then, for a short time under Charlemagne, an independent kingdom. Territory within the kingdom was awarded to loyal followers, and Périgord became a province, ruled by a count. When the Vikings began to raid ever further inland in the ninth century, provincial governors were given increasing power and Périgord was divided into four baronies, ruled by powerful families with fortified castles, who gave only nominal allegiance to the king of France.