Visiting France's Lot-et-Garonne Department
An Unspoilt Region for a Rural French Holiday
Jun 11, 2009
Lot-et-Garonne is located in Southwest France along the valleys of the two rivers that give it its name as well as the rolling hills and valleys in between. The gently undulating countryside, mild weather and rich cultural history provide scenic landscapes ideal for site-seeing and an extended stay.
If you saw the television series of Rick Stein's French Odyssey you will remember this as a gorgeous area full of culinary delights along the Canal Lateral de Garonne.
The department is dotted with historic buildings and sites including churches, cathedrals, bridges, chateaus, wind and water mills. Many have been restored and are open to the public.
It is productive agricultural land producing over seventy types of crops including wine, tomatoes, prunes, apples, pears, cherries, kiwi fruit and many other types of fruit. Wheat, barley corn and sunflowers are the main broadacre crops, and the production of foie gras is a major industry here. Many farmers sell their produce direct to the public, or they are available in regular markets held in many of the towns and villages.
The department is divided into five pays - tourist regions, each offering its own flavor to the scenic beauty of this beautiful corner of France.
Agenais
This pays is centered around the city of Agen. Here the Canal de Garonne crosses the river Garonne in a beautiful aqueduct. The town has an impressive Musee des Beaux Arts which celebrates the cultural history of South West France.
Albret
Nerac, at the center of this pays was the capital of the former kingdom of Navarre and the birthplace of the famous Good King Henri IV of France. During his time here he was known as the Vert Gallant, the Green Knight. Part of the former castle of Nerac is now a museum which tells the story of the court presided over by Henri and his Queen Marguritte before they moved to Paris to take the French throne.
Pays de Garonne
In the western edge of the department, this pays includes some of the forests of the Landes. It's major center is Marmande, famous for its production of tomatoes, but there is also wine and tobacco here, among many other horticultural and agricultural products. The major outlet for Cotes De Marmande wine is the cooperative in town of Cocumont on the southern side of the Garrone.
Pays Du Dropt
To the northwest of the department this pays features the city of Duras with its beautiful Chateau du Ducs. Duras also gives its name to the surrounding wine region.
Vallee du Lot
This pays is the heart of the department. Its major center is the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. It also contains two of the 'most beautiful villages of France' in Pujols and Monflanquin; the latter is a Bastide town and also contains a Museum of Bastides.
At the small town of Temple-sur-Lot is the Jardin des Nenuphurs Latour-Marlaic, a water lily garden that dates back to the nineteenth century. It provided inspiration for Monet, and plant material when he established his famous Giverney garden near Paris.
The department is famous for its prunes and these are celebrated at a Museum of Prunes at Granges-sur-Lot.
Planning a Visit to Lot-et-Garonne
Although this region is off the well beaten tourist trails of France it has a enough accommodation for the visitors who are savvy enough to find it. You can even hire a houseboat for a week or two and use it to explore the region by bicycle.
Tourist information is available from the regional tourist office
You can find more about the wines in this region in this article on the vineyards of South West France
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