In 1281, King Philippe III, known as "le hardi" (the bold), decided to build a fortified town on "la barre", a cliff more than 150 metres above the river Dordogne. The bastide was built according to "standards", i.e. a regular plan, streets intersecting at right angles, square squares, a market hall, etc. Through many restorations, this bastide has survived and still bears witness to the richness of its past.
Although prehistoric times left many traces, it was during the Middle Ages in particular that Domme experienced its most exciting times. The various episodes of the 100 Years' War can still be read between the worn yellow stones, and Domme would never have been built on such a high cliff if enemy threats had not been so numerous.
The most imposing remains of this military aspect make the bastide town of Domme a remarkable site. Thanks to constant maintenance, the ramparts that encircle the village and the various gates (des Tours, de la Combe and Del Bos) that gave access to it are still largely intact despite the vagaries of the weather. The most impressive work is undoubtedly the Porte des Tours, which demonstrates the extent to which the king wanted to confuse potential attackers by imposing aesthetic constraints on the builders of the fortifications.
