Visit Lot-et-Garonne

Visit Lot-et-Garonne is a department in the south-west of France, located in the New Aquitainerich in historical heritage, varied landscapes and gastronomic traditions. Bordé par les départements du Lot, de la Dordogne, de la Gironde, des Landes, du Gers et de Tarn-et-Garonne, il offre une multitude de découvertes pour les visiteurs en quête d’authenticité et de diversité.​

Must-see tourist sites in Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is dotted with historic and cultural sites that bear witness to its rich past. Here is a selection of places not to be missed.

Medieval fortified towns

• Monflanquin : Classé parmi les “Plus Beaux Villages de France”, Monflanquin est une bastide du XIIIᵉ siècle perchée sur une colline offrant une vue panoramique sur la vallée. Ses ruelles pavées et ses maisons à colombages plongent les visiteurs dans une ambiance médiévale authentique.

• Villeréal : This bastide is renowned for its XIVᵉ century wooden market hall, still used for local markets. The arcaded houses surrounding the central square add to the charm of this picturesque village.​

Emblematic castles

• Bonaguil Castle : Considéré comme l’un des plus beaux châteaux forts de France, Bonaguil est un chef-d’œuvre de l’architecture médiévale. Sa visite offre un voyage dans le temps, avec ses tours imposantes et ses remparts bien conservés.

• Duras Castle : Situated on a hill, this château offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding vineyards. Its rich history and numerous rooms open to visitors make it a must-see for heritage enthusiasts.​

Picturesque villages

• Pujols : Perched high above Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Pujols is a medieval village offering exceptional panoramic views. Its stone houses and flower-filled gardens appeal to visitors seeking tranquillity.​

• Penne-d’Agenais : Ce village historique est dominé par la basilique Notre-Dame de Peyragude. Ses ruelles escarpées et ses ateliers d’artisans en font un lieu plein de charme et d’authenticité.​

Landscapes and towns in Lot-et-Garonne

Le Lot-et-Garonne se distingue par la diversité de ses paysages, mêlant vallées verdoyantes, cours d’eau paisibles et villes dynamiques.​

Les vallées et cours d’eau

• Lot Valley : This valley offers bucolic landscapes, with orchards, vineyards and picturesque villages along the River Lot. Water sports such as canoeing and river cruises are very popular.​

• Garonne Canal : Prolongement du Canal du Midi, il traverse le département et offre une voie verte idéale pour les balades à vélo ou à pied, à l’ombre des platanes centenaires.​

The main cities

• Agen : Préfecture du département, Agen est connue pour ses pruneaux et son riche patrimoine historique. La ville abrite le musée des Beaux-Arts, installé dans quatre hôtels particuliers, et le pont-canal d’Agen, un ouvrage impressionnant permettant au canal de Garonne de franchir la Garonne.​

• Villeneuve-sur-Lot : This bastide town, founded in the XIIIᵉ century, is crossed by the River Lot. Its historic center, with its half-timbered houses and ancient bridges, bears witness to its flourishing past.​

Neighbouring regions and departments

Lot-et-Garonne is surrounded by regions and departments offering interesting cultural and geographical continuity.​

Périgord (Dordogne)

To the north, the Périgord is renowned for its prehistoric sites, castles and gastronomy, notably foie gras and truffles. Exchanges between Lot-et-Garonne and Périgord are numerous, both culturally and gastronomically.​

Les Landes

À l’ouest, the Landes offrent de vastes forêts de pins et des plages océanes. Cette proximité permet aux habitants du Lot-et-Garonne de profiter des activités balnéaires et aux Landais de découvrir les richesses de l’intérieur des terres.​

Visit Gers

Au sud, le Gers, cœur de la Gascogne, partage avec le Lot-et-Garonne une tradition gastronomique riche, avec des produits comme l’armagnac, le foie gras et le confit de canard. Les festivals et marchés locaux renforcent les liens entre ces deux départements.​

Visit Lot-et-Garonnelocated in Nouvelle-Aquitaineis a land of gastronomy où les produits du terroir occupent une place essentielle. Entre les fruits emblématiques, les spécialités à base de canard et les recettes traditionnelles, ce département regorge de trésors culinaires qui raviront les gourmets. Voici un tour d’horizon des culinary specialties of Lot-et-Garonne.

Culinary specialities of Lot-et-Garonne

Le pruneau d’Agen, star du Lot-et-Garonne

Visit Agen prune is the gastronomic emblem of Lot-et-Garonne. It is made from prune d'Entedried to concentrate taste and nutrients. Enjoyed in both sweet and savoury versions, Agen prunes can be eaten :

• Natureas an energy-boosting snack.
• Fourré with almond cream or chocolate.
• In traditional disheslike the famous roast pork with prunes.
• Transformed into liqueurlike Prun'EAU.

Duck products

Visit Southwestern cuisine is known for its mastery of dishes based on duckand Lot-et-Garonne is no exception.

• Foie gras : An emblematic product, it can be consumed semi-cooked, in terrine or pan-fried.
• Duck breast : Il se déguste grillé, accompagné d’une sauce aux pruneaux ou au miel.
• Confits : Cooked for a long time in their own fat, they are an unmissable Gascon tradition.

L’agneau du Quercy

Visit Lot-et-Garonne est aussi une terre d’élevage. L’Quercy lambrenowned for its tenderness and delicate flavor, is a meat of choice in local cuisine. It is often cooked in roast leg of lamb, navarin or tajine with prunes.

Fish and crayfish of the Garonne River

The department's rivers provide a traditional cuisine based around the freshwater fishincluding :

• Lamprey à la bordelaisesimmered in red wine.
• Eel with parsley.
• Armorican-style crayfishcooked in a white wine and tomato sauce.

Cheeses from Lot-et-Garonne

Although less well known than those of the Pyrenees, the cheeses from Lot-et-Garonne are well worth a visit. They include :

• Goat's or sheep's tomme cheeseoften matured in natural cellars.
• Le Bleu de Queyrana cheese with character.

Local fruit and vegetables

Lot-et-Garonne is one of France's leading producers of fruit and vegetables. Not to be missed:

• Strawberries from Lot-et-Garonne Delicious and fragrant, they can be enjoyed in salads, tarts or jams.
• The Nérac melonsweet and refreshing, often eaten with country ham.
• Tomatoes from Marmandefamous for their intense flavor and their use in Southwestern dishes.

Desserts and sweet treats

• Apple and Armagnac Tourtière A thin puff pastry filled with armagnac-flavored apples.
• The croustade A very thin pastry-based dessert, often filled with apples or prunes.
• Gascon pastisa soft brioche flavored with rum and orange blossom.

Where can you enjoy these specialities in Lot-et-Garonne?

To discover these local flavours, there's nothing like a visit to :

• Farmers' marketsincluding those in Agen, Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Marmande.
• Farmhouse innswhich offer traditional meals featuring local produce.
• Gastronomic festivalsThese include the Fête du Pruneau in Agen and the Festival de la Tomate in Marmande.

Visit Lot-et-Garonne is an ideal destination for local cuisine. Visit prunes, foie gras, cheeses and sun-kissed fruitsThis department offers a rich and authentic palette of tastes.