The town of Marmande sits in the Lot-et-Garonne countryside near to La-Reole and Miramont-de-Guyenne. It is not a tourist town but none-the-less if you find yourself nearby it has a few interesting historical sights.
Explore Marmande
Head first of all for the tourist information office which can not only provide you with a map highlighting the main sights, it is also housed in a lovely building with a charming inner courtyard that you can visit. Access is from inside the tourist office.
At the centre of Marmande sits its church, the eglise Notre-Dame which has a delightful garden and cloister. The church garden is one of France's listed 'Jardins remarquable' and is in a classical French style with lots of shaped parterres surrounded by filled box and filled with seasonal flowers. Clipped shrubs and a pond and fountain complete the picture.
The gardens were added in the 1950s but using the golden rules for classical gardens of the 17th century including its symetrical pattern, box edges and a terrace from which you can look down over the gardens and formal pond.
The church itself was built between the 13th and 15th centuries whilst the cloister was added in the 16th century.
Take a walk on the Chemin de Ronde behind the church and you can see some remains of Marmande's medieval fortifications including the Tour du Passeur. The tower acted as a look-out post for people wanting to cross the small river running alongside the Chemin de Ronde.
Take a look at the mosaic which has been added to the ramparts below the church. The mosaic illustrates six key events in Marmande's history including the siege of the town by Henri de Navarre in the 16th century.
The nearby Rue Labat with its pretty half-timber houses dating from the 15th century was once home to the merchants and traders of Marmande. See also the Chapel of Saint Benedict, home to an important 17th century painted ceiling by Jean Michel and is considered a highlight of Baroque Art. Unfortunately it is currently closed for renovation.
At the centre of town is the Place Georges Clemenceau where the town hall is located. With a large open space decorated with a large fountain and a metallic structure which is being covered with beautifully scented jasmine and a smaller square with a round pond and a charming statue it is a pleasant place to sit.
The other main square in Marmande is the Place du Marché which has a large indoor market that has recently been renovated and on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning there is also an outdoor market in the square. Around the edges of the square there is also a lovely arcaded building and the restaurants and bars here make this a pleasant spot to head to for lunch or coffee.
Next to the town is a large green area called the Filhole plain and every year this hosts the Garorock Rock Festival which attracts 60,000 people every year - the largest festival of its type in the region. It is also a popular spot for vide-greniers which are the French equivalent of a car boot sale. It also has a river beach which is watched over by a life guard on sunny days in the summer.
Places to Visit Nearby
The nearby town of La Reole has some pretty half-timbered houses and the oldest town hall in France. The church of Allemans du Dropt houses some remarkable 15th century frescoes.
You can find more travel ideas in the Lot-et-Garonne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Marmande
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Map of Marmande and places nearby
Visit near Marmande with France This Way reviews
Jardins de Beauchamp
The Jardins de Beauchamp is an attractive garden on the edge of Marmande
Jardins de Beauchamp guide
Allemans-du-Dropt
Although small, Allemans-du-Dropt has a few monuments of interest of which our favourite is the church with its medieval frescoes.
Allemans-du-Dropt guide
Monsegur
The bastide town of Monsegur, in the Dropt Valley, has a substantial part of its original fortifications intact
Monsegur guide
Miramont-de-Guyenne
Miramont is slightly removed from the tourist areas; visit on Monday when the market takes place if possible.
Miramont-de-Guyenne guide
La Reole
Largely ignored by visitors because of its proximity to Bordeaux we found La Reole to be a very pleasant, traditional Gironde town to explore
La Reole guide
Duras
Duras is a quiet town that is above all known for the local wine and the Chateau de Duras in the town
Duras guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lot-et-Garonne
Address: Marmande, Aquitaine, 47200, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.5, longitude 0.17
Plan your visit to Marmande, Lot-et-Garonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin du cloître Notre-Dame: remarkable garden
- Jardins de Beauchamp: remarkable garden
- Parc et potager de Pouthet: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Bazas cathédrale St Jean Baptist (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (31 km)
- Ets Latour-Marliac: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Eglise de Sainte Livrade (Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot): religious monument (35 km)
- Jardins du château de Malle: remarkable garden (38 km)
- Jardins du Sardy: remarkable garden (40 km)
- Montcaret Archaeological site: national monument (41 km)
- Cadillac Chateau: national monument (42 km)
- Nerac: secteur sauvegarde (43 km)
- Pujols: most beautiful village (43 km)
The French version of this page is at Marmande (Francais)