The village of Pujols is on top of a hill about two kilometres south of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the Lot-et-Garonne department. It is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
Exploring Pujols
France This Way review: although Pujols is a small village, little more than one street, a parallel alley, and two churches, it is extremely picturesque. The medieval houses crowd in on the street, and numerous pretty gardens add to the charm.
Start your visit at the gateway through the north side of the fortified walls of the village. There is parking close to the gateway.
The archway through which you have entered the village is called the Saint Nicholas belltower, and is part of the church that is built into the original defences of the village. This stone arch brings you straight into the main square in Pujols, with the church to one side, a 19th century market hall, a bar and the tourist office, and a couple of small galleries.
The Church of Saint-Nicholas, was built in the second half of the 15th century as a chapel - and also as part of the defensive walls of the village - and expanded to become a collegiale church in the first half of the 16th century.
Inside the church you can see the gothic style arches of the ceiling and a five sided apse.
From the church you can follow the main street in either direction to enjoy looking at the ancient houses, often with hanging baskets of flowers, the small gardens and the views. Here on Rue Citadelle you can see several impressive houses from the 16th century.
Pujols is a walled village and at the west end of the village you can see another of the original fortified entrances to the village, much smaller than the principal entrance and called the Porte des Anglais.
Because the village is on a ridge it has fine views in both directions: north over Villeneuve-sur-Lot and the Lot River and south across open countryside.
The frescoes in the church of Sainte Foy (the church that is to the south of the village, not the church by the main entrance) date from the 16th century and are also well worth a look.
The pantings are quite faded but you can clearly see the artworks, which include frescoes of Saint Catherine, Saint George, and the Assumption of Mary. Note the people in the top of the castle cheerng Saint George as he sets off to battle!
In the summer you might find rather a lot of tourists for such a small village so it is best to visit slightly off-season or in the morning if possible, but don't be put off visiting in the afternoon if that is the only time you can make it!
There are a couple of excellent restaurants in Pujols, albeit a little more expensive than some in the region.
Local highlights
Six kilometres south of Pujols you can visit the Grottes de Fontirou, a large cave system that was inhabited in prehistoric times.
The nearby villages of Penne d'Agenais and Tournon d'Agenais are well worth visiting, especially the former. A short distance north of Villeneuve-sur-Lot you will certainly also want to visit the bastide village of Monflanquin.
We suggest you then continue at least as far as the 13th century village of Villereal (this is where we live so we know what we are talking about when we recommend you visit!)
You can find more travel ideas in the Lot-et-Garonne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Pujols
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Map of Pujols and places nearby
Visit near Pujols with France This Way reviews
Villeneuve-sur-Lot
In Villeneuve-sur-Lot it is the views from th bridge across the river, the bastide square and the church that are of interest to visitors
Villeneuve-sur-Lot guide
Basilica Notre-Dame in Penne d'Agenais
The basilica Notre-Dame in the village of Penne d'Agenais is a 19th century church in the roman-byzantine style with views over the valley of the Lot
Basilica Notre-Dame in Penne d'Agenais guide
Penne d'Agenais
The street up through the historic centre of Penne d'Agenais leads you to the imposing, if quite recent, basilica on the hill.
Penne d'Agenais guide
Laroque-Timbaut
Laroque-Timbaut is one of our favourite tiny villags in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne
Laroque-Timbaut guide
Latour-Marliac waterlily garden
The Latour-Marliac waterlily garden has a stunning collection of waterlilies and a garden and is where Monet bought his waterlilies for Giverny.
Latour-Marliac waterlily garden guide
Frespech
Frespech is another in the cluster of picturesque villages typical of this region
Frespech guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lot-et-Garonne
Tourist classifications for Pujols
Pujols is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Pujols, Villeneuve-sur-Lot-Sud, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Aquitaine, 47300, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.386, longitude 0.6884
Plan your visit to Pujols, Lot-et-Garonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise de Sainte Livrade (Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot): religious monument (8 km)
- Grottes de Fontirou: site of natural beauty (8 km)
- Ets Latour-Marliac: remarkable garden (13 km)
- Eglise Notre Dame (Frespech): religious monument (14 km)
- Monflanquin: most beautiful village (17 km)
- Agen cathédrale St Caprais (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (21 km)
- Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lacour): religious monument (23 km)
- Abbaye de Saint Maurin (Saint-Maurin): religious monument (26 km)
- Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax): religious monument (28 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Layrac): religious monument (28 km)
- Walibi Aquitaine: theme park (29 km)
- Eglise de Sainte Marie (Aubiac): religious monument (29 km)
Market days in Pujols, France
Regular market(s) are held in Pujols each Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Pujols (Francais)