A bastide is a purpose built fortified village.

In effect, they where the "new town" of the 13th and 14th centuries. As such, therefore, bastide towns can pinpoint the date of their creation.

Built to a pattern, which, nevertheless allowed for individual variation, bastide towns were laid out in a grid pattern. Regular plots of land were marked out around a central square, usually bordered by covered arcades.

This central square was the focal point of the village and housed the market and the village's elected representatives. Look for the Place des Consuls on any bastide map and you've found the mediaeval heart of the village.

For all their "town planning" and regimentation of design, no two bastides are the same and if you have seen one, you certainly have not seen them all!