The bastides & new towns of the southwest of France: recent research & new directions

I hope to offer some insights into current research on medieval new towns in southwestern France. I will be focusing on the following points: • First, past research on French new towns, especially the bastides, not just by historians but also archaeologists, architects, geographers and historians of art. • Next, the medieval expression villa nova. Does it really describe a new foundation? Does it even describe a town? • Third, some of the results of recent research, especially, the connection between medieval new towns and the phenomenon of regular town plans. • Then, directions for new research, specifically, the application of a European research perspective to southwestern France. • In conclusion, the bastides, Maurice Beresford and Winchelsea.