Discover the Lot et Garonne Region of Southwest France
Discover the Lot et Garonne Region of Southwest France
Quiet roads lead through fields of sunflowers and rolling countryside, as you travel from one quiet medieval village to the next, stopping for lunch in a small French restaurant, or for a picnic in an ancient woodland.
Many of the small towns in the region are known as bastide towns. These towns were built in the 13th century to a common plan - a central square was used for the weekly market, and usually surrounded by arcades and with a church and market hall dominating the square. The streets of the town then radiate off from this central square in perfectly straight lines, with every house being allocated exactly the same area.
Truly the first planned 'new towns' many of these bastide towns can still be seen in their original layout, with many original medieval houses to be admired. Many of the towns - examples are Monflanquin and Villereal - also have cafes and bars where you can sit and enjoy watching the world go by, and bakers where you can buy traditional French bread.
Another small village to discover in the region is Pujols. Not a bastide town, but a medieval fortified village on a hilltop south of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, it is small but perfectly formed, again with streets lined with ancient houses. Because of its location on a hill the village also has great views across the surrounding countryside.
One particular highlight of the Lot et Garonne region is Chateau Bonaguil - a spectacular medieval castle on a hill to the east of the region. Now partly in ruins, the castle is one of the most picturesque to be found anywhere in France. If you are in the region during the summer try not to miss the annual firework, light and music spectacle at the castle.
Yet beyond these local treasures it is the peace and quiet that will appeal to you. The countryside is still dotted with small farms separated by ancient hedgerows, and the roads are usually completely empty, although you might get stuck briefly behind an old citroen van or ancient rusty tractor...
The weather, being in the south of France, is almost always mild, with warm spring and autumn and quite hot summers, although it can be rather cold and wet from January to March.
Most visitors to the area come because they want to relax, and spend most of their time in their cottage or villa relaxing by the swimming pool. While this is of course the idea of your annual holiday, I do suggest that you travel around at least a little to discover more of one of the most attractive, unspoiled, regions to be found in France.
The region is now very accessible, from the airports at Bergerac, Toulouse and Bordeaux. The most popular accommodation option when visiting the area is holiday rental properties. These are usually carefully restored old farm properties, offering you the possibility to stay in the heart of the countryside, and to sit listening to the birds and watching the lizards as you enjoy a glass of the local wines - the wines from the Bergerac region are very well known and of high quality.
If you plan to visit the Lot-et-Garonne region or would like to learn more about this unspoiled paradise you can find information and acommodation at http://www.southofthedordogne.com/giteslotetgaronne.php5
The author has lived in the area for six years and promotes tourism both locally, and across France in http://www.francethisway.com
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