Picnicking in Lot-et-Garonne, the best spots in the region

The warmer weather is approaching, bringing with it nature getaways and gourmet excursions ! A picnic! What a great idea! Especially since Lot-et-Garonne is full of quiet little spots where you can spread out your tablecloth. Whether you're in the heart of nature or by the water, what a pleasure it is to have lunch outdoors when the weather permits.

A well-stocked picnic basket

Picnics rhyme with indulgence, especially in this region rich in specialties that delight you in seasonal products all year round! In its basket, the Lot-et-Garonne Guide opts for summer products:

• Gariguette, Charlotte, Ciflorette or Mariguette strawberries, all Label Rouge
• The juicy Marmande tomato
• Delicious fruity melon from starter to dessert
• The Ente plum, known as the Agen prune, can be eaten plain or in pastries.

Sandwiches, salads, quiches or tarts, many recipes are easy to cook and simple to take away for a successful picnic in Lot-et-Garonne. And for dessert, don't forget the tourtière ! Delicious apples cooked in brandy, garnished with pasta and pieces of crispy pastry.

A picnic in the heart of nature

Between its rivers, plains, and rolling hills, Lot-et-Garonne is a region prized by lovers of nature and wide open spaces. The five regions of Agenais, Albret, Pays du Dropt, Val de Garonne, and Vallée du Lot offer numerous spots for a gourmet break, such as:

• The Aire du Moulin in Montpezat is located near the mill and features large tables and a playground. Easily accessible via a hiking trail (even with a stroller), it offers breathtaking views of the Lot Valley.
• The Aire de Coulon, towards Cancon and Monflanquin, is a 100% natural place where patches of grass border a body of water.

Or a unique picnic with an unusual picnic in Monbalen, a gourmet getaway under a transparent dome in the heart of nature.

A picnic in a park or garden

There is no shortage of green spots in Lot-et-Garonne, but if you are short of ideas or want to combine discovery with indulgence, here are some parks and gardens that will satisfy your need for peace and nature.

The Boissonna Garden in Baleyssagues

Labeled a Remarkable Garden, this magnificent space nestled between vineyards and hazelnut orchards is a true haven of peace where you can recharge your batteries. The splendid rose garden of more than 500 varieties is stunning in color and fragrance, while the paths reveal Mediterranean plants, remarkable trees and many birds that roam freely. A picnic area allows you to have lunch in the heart of this marvelous garden which also offers a tea room where you can enjoy homemade pastries and brunches on Sunday mornings. (Open from mid-April to the end of August).

The Royal Park of La Garenne in Nérac

A true pearl of the Pays d'Albret, it is freely accessible all year round. This little gem bordered by the Baïse is magnificent with its colorful flowerbeds, pretty groves, shaded path and small bridges which bring a bucolic touch to this peaceful place. Created in the 16th century by Jeanne d'Albret and Antoine de Bourbon, it was listed as historic in 1909 and today offers families, walkers and joggers a peaceful setting to enjoy nature in the heart of Nérac. Picnic areas and playgrounds perfectly complete this little corner of paradise, ideal for a relaxing day outdoors.

The Passeligne Natural Park, or Agen Garonne Natural Park

Located in the commune of Boé on the banks of the Garonne, this park near Agen is a vast 60-hectare area made up of 30 hectares of land and 30 hectares of water with the Passeligne and Pélissier lakes. Lovers of nature walks or cycling trips, you will have access to 14 km of trails, but beware of floods which regularly block the path which goes around the Passeligne lake. Football, volleyball or pétanque fields, there is plenty to have fun with 3 children's play areas and an orienteering course. Set up your lunch on the picnic tables and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors.

A picnic by the water in Lot-et-Garonne

Shaded or cool spots are most often sought after during the summer months. That's why the Lot-et-Garonne Guide has provided you with a non-exhaustive list of places to picnic by the water:

• The Rogé Municipal Base in Villeneuve-sur-Lot is open year-round. Located on the banks of the Lot River, it's the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal before renting a canoe in the summer.
• Lake Damazan on the Moulineau lake site allows you to swim (supervised swimming in summer) and fish, but also to have fun during a game of mini golf, a match of tennis, cricket or volleyball.
• Lougratte Lake has a fine sandy beach, perfect for spreading out your towel. Swimming is supervised in summer, and many activities are available: water slides, pedal boats, canoeing, fishing, beach volleyball, tennis, basketball, etc. Unpack your basket or bring your grills; barbecues are available.
• Marmande Beach, open in summer from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., is ideal for swimming, with a beach set up along the Garonne River, in the heart of the Plaine de la Filhole. Picnic areas and children's playgrounds make for a great day outdoors.
• The Clarens Lake Leisure Centre (please note: entry is subject to a fee from mid-June to the end of August) is magnificent, with its fine sandy beaches surrounded by pine forests. More than just a picnic, it promises a day of fun with multiple activities: treetop adventure courses, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboarding, canoes, paintball, archery tag, flyboarding, Segway rides, a water park in the heart of nature, a fitness trail, an orienteering course, fishing, and a casino.

Of course, if you walk or cycle along the Garonne, you will have many opportunities to take a gourmet break in a privileged setting by the water, even if there are no tables to sit at.

Picnicking in Lot-et-Garonne, a pleasure to be repeated all summer long !

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