Lot-et-Garonne - beautiful landscapes

Located in the south-west of France, the Lot-et-Garonne is to the south of the Dordogne and west of the Lot. It sits between Bordeaux, Toulouse, Périgord and Gascogne.

With several large rivers providing easy irrigation, the department is one of France's most important producers of fruit and vegetables.  It is especially renowned for its prunes, walnuts and strawberries - many of them now grown organically - as well as vineyards. Known for its beautiful rolling countryside, it also boasts many fortified towns and chateaux.

Visitors are sure to fall under the spell of the region's superb cuisine and joie de vivre. With around 1,000 events every year - rock, folk and classical music concerts, sports fixtures, historical reconstructions and modern theatre - there is something for everyone in the Lot-et-Garonne.

Principal city; Agen

Other towns of note - Monflanquin, Villeréal, Castillonnès, Casteljaloux, Nérac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Penne d'Agenais.

www.tourisme-lotetgaronne.com

Villéreal

In the Lot et Garonne, founded in 1269 by Alphonse de Poitiers has an impressive “Halle” at its centre , standing on wooden pillars with a first floor in wattle and daub.  This is where the noise and bustle of the Saturday market  can be found.

Monflanquin

Is situated in the Lot et Garonne.  An imposing bastide village founded in 1256 built in the familiar grid pattern, it has had to repel many attacks from the English and recover from the “War of Religion”.    Over the years the village lost its’ ramparts but its history and character remain intact.  You get a fantastic  360° view of the surrounding countryside from the top of the village.