La Création.  These were « new towns » and are characterized by their chequered layout.  They were built with the aim of centralising the power over a population which was scattered all over the Perigordian countryside.  Their role was also to stimulate agriculture and trade.  In order to encourage settlement, plots of land and building materials were given to new residents.  

Detailed town planning.  These walled towns were constructed on virgin sites and each one is different as they were built taking into account  the diverse topography of each one, for example Domme, perched on top of a rocky outcrop.  What all these towns had in common was the way in which they were organised.  The land parcels were exactly the same size, the town layout was square, rectangular or trapezoid and each one had a central market square where the traders had their stalls, and which was a lively and important site for fairs and markets.  In the centre of this square was a market hall, which was a large covered space, not far from the parish building, such as that at Villefranche du Périgord.