Lot-et-Garonne

North Lot-et-Garonne

The north-east of the Lot-et-Garonne has easy access to the highlights of the southern Dordogne (such as prehistoric sites, caves and castles) plus the beautiful bastide towns such as Monflanquin and Villereal are here, along with nearby Castillonnes.

The valley of the Dropt runs along the northern edge of the Lot-et-Garonne department as you head west from Villereal, with other places to visit along the Dropt Valley including Miramont-de-Guyenne, the castle at Lauzun, and the 15th century frescoes in the church at Allemans-du-Dropt.

Lot-et-Garonne castles

There are several particularly notable castles to visit, and by chance they are quite close together in the north-east part of the department. One of our favourite castles in France is at Chateau Bonaguil and another impressive castle is close by at Chateau Biron.

Also very interesting is the ancient fort and donjon at Gavaudun, a small village in the picturesque Gavaudun valley, and a more recent castle can be seen at Duras.

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.

See Bastide towns and the Dropt valley and Villeneuve-sur-Lot and quiet villages for places to visit

South Lot-et-Garonne

Even further south past Villeneuve-sur-Lot and around Agen the Lot-et-Garonne is often equally beautiful but without the tourist levels or important sites and monuments you will find in the north of the department.

Agen itself is perhaps best known for being close to the popular theme park at Walibi but also has several of its own historical treasures. The region around Agen, quite undiscovered by most visitors, is one of our favourite areas for a peaceful getaway.

There are also a good number of small villages and quiet market towns largely undiscovered by tourism to explore to 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 and Caudecoste. To the far south 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.

See Agen and the south for places to visit