Pigeonnier de tivoli

Less well known than its northern neighbour, the Lot-et-Garonne department is found in south-west France - south of the Dordogne and north of Gascony. It forms part of the Aquitaine region of France.

The Lot-et-Garonne department changes personality the further south you travel.

To the north it is very close physically and in appearance to the Dordogne department, and provides easier access to many of the highlights of that region than much of the Dordogne department itself. It also shares the same landscape as the Dordogne - a mix of wooded slopes, small forested areas, and rolling fields.

Heading south past Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen (the departmental capital) to the southern part of the department the landscape becomes one of traditional agriculture and small scale farming, empty roads through fields of sunflowers, and quiet market towns. Fruit trees, especially plum trees for the delicious pruneaux d'Agen, are also abundant.

This landscape continues much unchanged to the southern end of the department, where it merges into ancient Gascony.

Much of the department avoids the excesses of tourism that affect many parts of France, but nonetheless it has many small treasures to be explored.

Highlights of the Lot et Garonne include:

The beautiful bastide towns to discover, such as the bastide towns of Monflanquin and Villereal

One of the finest castles in France is at Chateau Bonaguil and another impressive castle close by at Chateau Biron. (There is also a castle terrace at Fumel.)

Heading south past Villeneuve-sur-Lot be sure to visit the small medieval village of Pujols, and near neighbour Penne d'Agenais

Further south you reach the capital of the Lot-et-Garonne at Agen, perhaps best known for being close to the popular theme park at Walibi.

A sprinkling of quiet market towns in the south of the department, including Nérac and Casteljaloux.

Overall the Lot-et-Garonne department is a very good choice for a holiday in France if quiet appreciation of nature and the chance to relax away from crowds is your priority (or if you want to see the sights of the Dordogne, and stay in the north of the Lot et Garonne department)