Dordogne People

Lalinde on the river Dordogne.

Lalinde (pronounced Lalande) was the first English bastide. It was founded in 1267 by Henry III. It suffered serious damage during the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion.

From the late Middle Ages onwards, the Dordogne River was southern Perigord's main communication channel and Lalinde Canal, built between 1838 and 1843, was designed to improve navigation. Locks, lock houses, reservoirs, aqueducts and, in particular, the Tuilieres steps, were included in the construction of the canal, from Mauzac to Tuilieres.

In 1839-1840 its protective moats and ditches were filled in with waste material from the canal construction (1836-1841) and the town grew northwards and, in particular, westwards outside the town walls.

The arrival of rail and road saw the decline of river transport and the canal become obsolete but it is gradually regaining importance and is now especially prized as beautiful place for walking and fishing.

The railway station was built in 1877 and the bridge over the Dordogne River in 1880.

Lalinde boasts several listed buildings. The church, which replaced the original Romanesque church, was inaugurated in 1901. The town owes much of its charm to the Dordogne River and canal.

There is a market on Thursdays all year round, which sells local produce.