Lot-et-Garonne

Visit Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is perhaps the France that you always hoped existed but could never quite find - medieval villages and sunflower fields, quiet roads and small farms in gently rolling countryside. One of the 'best kept secrets' in France!

Selected places to visit in Lot-et-Garonne

Highlights in the Lot-et-Garonne department, Aquitaine

Less well known than its northern neighbour, the Lot-et-Garonne department is found in south-west France - south of the Dordogne and north of Gascony. It forms part of the Aquitaine region of France.

In many ways the landscape of the Lot-et-Garonne department is similar in appearance to the Dordogne department, and in many regions it shares the same scenery as that department - a mix of wooded slopes, small forested areas, and rolling fields, quiet roads passing through very lovely countryside - more so in the eastern half than the rather flatter western portion.

The valley of the Dropt runs along the northern edge of the Lot-et-Garonne department.

The landscape is also one of traditional agriculture and small scale farming, empty roads through fields of sunflowers, and quiet market towns. Fruit trees, especially plum trees for the delicious pruneaux d'Agen, are also abundant.

The north-east of the Lot-et-Garonne department has good access to the highlights (caves and castles!) of the southern Dordogne, while heading south past Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen it is often equally beautiful but without the tourist levels or important sites of its northern neighbour. The region around Agen (the capital) is one of our favourites for a peaceful getaway.

At the southern end of the department it merges into ancient Gascony, while to the south-west we see the start of the enormous forests of the Landes department. Above all the Lot-et-Garonne is one for relaxing, quiet country walks, and is great cycling country. There are more 'sights' (bastide towns, castles etc) towards the north-east, less tourists and quieter roads further south.

Places to visit in Lot et Garonne

- The beautiful bastide towns to discover, such as the bastide towns of Monflanquin and Villereal to the north-east, along with nearby Castillonnes, or the castle at Duras (north-west). Other places to visit along the Dropt Valley to the north of the Lot-et-Garonne include Miramont-de-Guyenne, the castle at Lauzun, and the 15th century frescoes in the church at Allemans-du-Dropt.

- One of the finest castles in France is at Chateau Bonaguil and another impressive castle close by at Chateau Biron. (There is also a castle terrace at Fumel.)

- Heading south passed Villeneuve-sur-Lot be sure to visit the small medieval village of Pujols, and near neighbour Penne d'Agenais, also the traditional village at Frespech and the bastide of Tournon d'Agenais.

Further south you reach the capital of the Lot-et-Garonne at Agen, perhaps best known for being close to the popular theme park at Walibi but also containing several of its own historical treasures.

- A sprinkling of quiet market towns in the south of the department, including Nérac and Casteljaloux, and nearby Barbaste.

- the small towns and villages of the 'Pays Agenais' of south-eastern Lot-et-Garonne (on the border with Tarn-et-Garonne) include Laroque-Timbaut, Beauville and Puymirol

Overall the Lot-et-Garonne department is a very good choice for a holiday in France if quiet appreciation of nature and the chance to relax away from crowds is your priority (or if you want to see the sights of the Dordogne, and stay in the north of the Lot et Garonne department)

See a list of all Lot-et-Garonne communes, and visit also the dedicated Lot-et-Garonne site that provided much of the material for the Lot-et-Garonne section of the francethisway travel guide.

Page in French? See Lot-et-Garonne (Francais)