The Lot Valley in winter: original suggestions for discovering it!

Winter is approaching, and so are the holidays. Even though we're bundled up in scarves and sweaters, nothing's stopping us from exploring the Lot Valley. We've compiled a list of great places to discover, all while wearing gloves and with a smile on your face! There will even be some delicious food stops along the way…

Looking for a bit of culture? Cultural sites in the region

There's always something to do in winter in Lot-et-Garonne and the Lot Valley. Starting with visiting the towns and villages, and the tourist sites, many of which are open year-round. Here are a few suggestions for the whole family.

• Bonaguil Castle sits atop its rocky spur. The keep towers over you, inviting you to explore. Take advantage of it—it's open during school holidays! With its cave, cellars, and five centuries of history, it's a breathtaking place that will amaze you!

• A visit to Villeneuve-sur-Lot will delight you! It's a former royal bastide town, with a beautiful ochre brick cathedral, the Tour de Paris (which can be visited; ask at the Tourist Office)... In winter, an ice rink is set up under the market hall. Numerous rides and Christmas festivities are planned (fireworks, Christmas market). Don't miss the Musée de Gajac, a contemporary art and exhibition space.

• Just above, the pretty village of Pujols, listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," boasts a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. While bustling with life in summer, in winter it's a pleasure to stroll through, enjoy a hot chocolate in the market square, admire the remains of the ramparts, and see the half-timbered houses…

• Also, be sure to visit Fumel and its castle. With children, we recommend trying Tèrra Aventura, a modern treasure hunt app for your smartphone that offers a fun way to discover the town!
• Near Sauveterre-la-Lémance, there's a friendly and modern prehistory museum. It's also a good opportunity to visit this pretty little village and its medieval castle, once home to the Dukes of Burgundy.

• Do you love the stars? Here's an original and unique activity to experience! Did you know that winter skies are magnificent to observe? If you're in the Fumel area on Friday evening, head to Gap 47, the astronomical observatory, every Friday from 9 pm for stargazing.

Looking for a bit of nature? Enjoy walks, hikes and cycling in the Lot Valley

With the right equipment, you can absolutely enjoy wonderful bike rides or walks in the Lot Valley! A superb cycle route awaits you, well-signposted for 86 km. Accessible to the whole family, it has a relatively gentle gradient. You start in Aiguillon and continue towards Villeneuve, Fumel, and then down to the Lot River if you wish! A great way to explore this river, rich in interesting flora and fauna along its banks.

Gastronomic delights of Lot-et-Garonne

Hazelnuts, prunes and foie gras, that's the program! We invite you to taste them and learn more about these 3 essential local products.

• The Hazelnut House in Lacépède is open year-round (except for a break in January; please check their website). It's a place that celebrates this delicious product, perfectly suited to both savory and sweet dishes. After learning about hazelnut production, you'll enjoy a delightful and fragrant experience: tasting. Once roasted, hazelnuts develop a thousand flavors and are transformed into a multitude of products such as oil, praline, and spreads. In addition to discovering new products, you can purchase them and find plenty of recipe inspiration. A perfect place for the whole family.

The delights of the hazelnut museum

• The Prune Farm and Museum in Laffite-sur-Lot is the prune-focused counterpart to the previous one! There, you'll learn about plum cultivation, which produces plums that are then dried in various ways to create several types of prunes. Enjoy tastings, discover prune-based products, and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that prunes pair beautifully with another local product: Armagnac.

Prune Museum

• The Foie Gras Museum is sure to delight many this winter. A holiday favorite, it's showcased at local foie gras markets during the winter months. The journey begins, surprisingly enough, in ancient Egypt! In summer, you can also visit the farm that houses the museum, but in winter, only the museum and shop are open. It boasts a beautiful design and is sure to appeal to children as well.

Foie gras museum, would you like some?

And the markets?

On Saturday mornings, there's a small foie gras market in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. On Sunday mornings, Penne d'Agenais hosts a small market on the banks of the Lot River, where producers offer their local products! In Aiguillon, a traditional market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays. In Fumel, it's on Sunday mornings.

Did you enjoy this article? Find more on our blog, "According to my desires".

Follow us on the Lot-et-Garonne Guide Facebook page and on Instagram @guidedulotetgaronne