The Périgord in medieval times was the center of war and intrigue. Since the marriage of Alienor d'Aquitaine to the duke of Normandie, Henry Plantagenet, who became Henry the 1st, king of England , the Périgord came under english rule. their son Richard, who grew up in the Castle of Beynac, became king of England, Richard I, the LION HEART. Later, In the 13th century, during the 100 years' war between france & England, both the english and french were building fortified towns, or "Bastides" on lands purchased from the local lords. Thus Domme, Villefranche du Périgord, Beaumont du Périgord, Lalinde, Molières, Monpazier,and others came into being.

In the middle of all these is Haute-Rive. 5 miles from St. Cyprien and its Abbey, 10 miles from Beynac and its impressive Castle , 12 miles (19 Km's) from Castelnaud, Beynac's sworn enemy, 15 miles (24 Km's) from Lalinde, 9 mile (14.5 Km's) from Cadouin and its famous Abbey, 15 miles(24 Km's) from Domme, 14 (22 Km's) from Monpazier.

In Haute-Rive you really aren't far from the main medieval site of the Périgord Noir. Sarlat, the capital of the Périgord noir, occupied a central place in the region in the middle ages and the renaissance, and is about 12.5 miles from Haute-Rive.