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

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Despite major reforms instigated by Louis XIV, more outbreaks of plague and poor harvests resulted in unrest among the poorer inhabitants, while the merchant classes began to benefit from an increase in trade with the newly established colonies in North America and India. The aristocracy still controlled much of the land, and many now renovated their châteaux in the Italianate style of the Renaissance, for there was no longer a need for heavy fortifications. Despite this inequality, the French Revolution did not have such a dramatic effect in the south-west as it did on places closer to Paris. Although many châteaux and churches were plundered, the aristocracy were often able to flee or hide without being captured, some even returning years later to buy back their family homes. But with it the Revolution brought administrative changes throughout France, and in 1790 the old system of provinces was changed to that of départements (departments) with new names, the province of Périgord thus becoming the department of the Dordogne.