3 pretty villages in Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is known for its rural and river tourism, its castles, fortified towns, and caves, but also for its joie de vivre, particularly its gastronomy, golf courses, and of course, its summer festivals. It is therefore a prime French destination for a successful holiday.

Did you know that Lot-et-Garonne also has some of the most beautiful villages in France? The Lot-et-Garonne Guide takes you on a journey to discover three of the prettiest villages in Lot-et-Garonne: Monflanquin, Pujols-le-Haut and Villeréal.

Cover photo: @Christoph Kusters

Monflanquin, Stendhal's “little Tuscany”

Located at the gateway to the Dordogne region and perched atop a hill, Monflanquin has been listed among the most beautiful villages in France since 1989 and is a designated Green Holiday Resort. It is undoubtedly a must-see. This former 13th-century bastide, founded in 1256 by Alphonse de Poitiers, changed hands successively between the English and the French during the Hundred Years' War.

This medieval "new town" retains the characteristics of a bastide: an orthogonal layout with its cart tracks and side streets, its half-timbered houses, its central square, and its arcades. Its Gothic church, its narrow streets, and the so-called "Black Prince's House" are its distinctive features. Our favorite spot: the market square with its arcades, ideal on market days.

A stroll through the narrow streets of Monflanquin will transport you into the medieval atmosphere.

Pujols the magnificent, overlooking the Lot valley

The medieval town of Pujols is a tiny village, but well worth a visit. Perched at an altitude of 180 meters, it's located less than ten kilometers from the fortified town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. The view from the village is breathtaking: between the town's red brick buildings and the Provençal air wafting through the landscapes of the Lot Valley, you'll be captivated. Strolling through the narrow streets of Pujols, you can't help but be charmed by the white stone houses adorned with hydrangeas or roses, and the half-timbered houses. Follow the Via Podiensis, the most famous of the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

The village has retained its medieval character, thanks to the remains of the ramparts, the castle, and the fortified gates. In the center of the town, also listed among the most beautiful villages in France, a market hall and two churches caught our attention: the Church of Saint-Nicolas and the Church of Sainte-Foy, adorned with 16th-century murals, which hosts summer exhibitions.

Our favorite spot in this destination: the toy house, which is free to enter. Let your inner child blossom among the wooden toys and other games to try out there.

Villeréal, royal bastide

At the crossroads of Périgord and Lot-et-Garonne, halfway between Bergerac and Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the royal bastide of Villeréal was founded in 1267 by Alphonse de Poitiers, like Monflanquin. This village boasts architecture typical of the medieval "new towns" of southwestern France: a vast, multi-story 14th-century market hall with solid oak pillars, a fortified 13th-century church, a main square with shops, and charming narrow streets lined with half-timbered and stone houses and traditional walled gardens. One of the most interesting houses, in our opinion, is located on Rue Saint James : it blends half-timbering, wattle and daub, and dressed stone.

Villeréal is a stop you should definitely discover!

Have these pretty villages in Lot-et-Garonne made your mouth water?

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