The Lot et Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is a welcoming and generous department with just over 300,000 inhabitants. It is bordered by Périgord to the northeast, Landes to the southwest, Gers to the south and by two large regional cities connected by the A62 passing through Agen: Bordeaux and Toulouse.

It is a transitional country between Quercy and Landes, hilly, crossed by two superb rivers, the Lot and the Garonne which meet at Aiguillon. Essentially rural, Lot-et-Garonne is a land generous in agricultural production, bathed in orchards and fertile land, vines, fields and crops. Prunes, tomatoes, Buzet wines, Duras, melons, strawberries, asparagus... It is the main agricultural department of the Aquitaine region.

It is a region of good living and good food, of cultural mixes and conviviality. This agricultural region always attracts workers from elsewhere. Today, the tourist attractions of Lot-et-Garonne are numerous: country of Bastides and castles, rural and river tourism (200km of waterways), orchards and multiple outdoor activities. It is a place of tourism that is at once cultural, relaxing, sporting and gastronomic.

Monflanquin © Lot et Garonne Guide

Climate

The climate of Lot-et-Garonne is under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is therefore oceanic and mild, but less rainy and windy than its neighbour Landes. In summer, it is hot and often humid and stormy. The average temperature range between summer and winter is more marked than in Landes and a little less than in Périgord to the north. It is a region of climatic transition where we will nevertheless note certain extreme weather phenomena: severe frosts in winter and sometimes stifling heat in summer.

History of Lot-et-Garonne

Land of History, of Henry IV and Jeanne d'Albret, located between Bordeaux and Toulouse, between Guyenne and Languedoc, Lot-et-Garonne has often been tossed between several influences. Agenais first belonged to Aquitaine in the first centuries of our era, before being subjected to the wars between the King of France and that of England. It has often passed from one influence to another, upstream or downstream of Agen.

At times under the influence of Toulouse, England and Bordeaux, Lot-et-Garonne, as we know it today, has long had very uncertain borders, with jurisdictions overlapping. Some look more towards Toulouse, others towards Bordeaux, not to mention the powerful Albret family who exercised their authority in the Nérac region. Furthermore, the Garonne River has long been considered an essential geographical border between the north and the south of the region.

With Louis XI, the Agenais turned definitively towards the Bordeaux region, its parliament and the government of Guyenne. Formed in 1790, the boundaries of Lot-et-Garonne as they are today date from 1808. It was at this time that the boundaries with the newly created Tarn-et-Garonne were frozen in the south-east.

However, things were not simple. Some regions turned more naturally towards the Dordogne to the north, the Gers to the south or the Landes to the southwest. Similarly, the choice of the capital between Agen and Aiguillon is open to debate. Aiguillon argues for its privileged and natural geographical position at the confluence of the Lot and the Garonne. However, it was Agen that was designated capital because of its historical weight.

Bastides Museum © Lot et Garonne Guide

Lot-et-Garonne in 5 regions

Discover an overview of the historical, architectural and natural riches of each of these regions.

• The Agenais naturally extends around Agen, the capital of prunes and prefecture of 32,000 inhabitants. Stroll through the old streets of Agen, a city where life is good and discover the Romanesque riches of its surroundings.
• L'Albret, land of Gascony, of King Henry IV and his castle of Nérac, hilly land of good living. Take a boat trip on the Baïse. Visit Nérac, Barbaste and explore the vineyards of Buzet.
• The Pays du Dropt, on the borders of the nearby Périgord, is full of history. Visit Duras and its famous castle. Take a detour to Allemans du Dropt. Discover the region's Bastides and taste the wines of the Côtes de Duras.
• The Val de Garonne / Gascony : orchards, rivers and canals, from Casteljaloux to Marmande, from the Garonne to the edge of the Landes forest. On the program: visit to the Cave du Marmandais and discovery of the vineyard.
• The Lot Valley, the majestic Lot, has lush orchards, castles and fortified towns not to be missed, as well as its hilltop villages and magnificent panoramas. It is the ideal place for family sports and leisure activities.

Tourist sites to visit in Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne has many treasures and must-see tourist sites. Here are a multitude of reasons to stay in the region.

Bonaguil Castle © Lot et Garonne Guide

From the richness of local products...

The products of Lot-et-Garonne are, for some, very famous. Here is a small overview:

• The prune;
• Wines from the Côtes de Duras or Buzet;
• The wines of the Cave du Marmandais;
  
• Strawberry (leading producing department);
• Asparagus;
• Hazelnut (leading producing department);
• The tomato;
• The melon;
• The pies...

to those of the table and the cuisine of Lot-et-Garonne

The gastronomy of Lot-et-Garonne is, as in the whole of the southwest, very rich. The department is full of succulent fruit and vegetable production and has a very developed organic agriculture. These products are of course found on the local table, where the prune allows the great local chefs to mix unexpected flavors. For example, stop off in Puymirol at the Aubergade chez Michel Trama, 2 stars in the Michelin guide.

Accommodation in Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne offers a multitude of accommodations, from the most luxurious hotels to the most typical guest houses. Your desires will be satisfied!

The Stelsia , hotel in a castle

Sports and leisure

Discover the riches of Lot-et-Garonne: bike rides along one of the region's many cycle paths, walks on a footpath, boat trips on the department's 200 km of waterways, water activities in the Lot Valley, rugby, etc.

Hiking © Lot et Garonne Guide

Festivals, Fairs, Exhibitions and Events in Lot et Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is a mecca for celebrations, festivals, cultural and culinary events throughout the year. Among which:

• Vocal Folies Festival in Agen in May;
• Laughter Festival in Villeneuve sur Lot in June;
• Aiguillon Jazz Festival in June;
• Aiguillon Jazz Festival in June;
• Garonna Show in Port Sainte Foy in July;
• Albret Festival Jazz in Albret in August;
• Bonaguil Fumel Festival in August;
• Street arts festival in Miramont de Guyenne in August;
• Lyrical Nights in Marmandais in August
• Grand Pruneau Show in Agen in November.

The famous Lot and Garonne

Jean Pierre Fourcade, Jean François Poncet, Bernard Palissy, Bernard Campan, Francis Cabrel, Chimène Badi, Michel Polnareff, Paul Guth, Michel Serres, Jean Nouvel, André Téchiné, Maurice Mességué, Philippe Sella, Albert Ferrasse... So many people from Lot et Garonne who proudly carry the colours of their region.

Books we recommend

• Aquitaine Green Guide, published by “Éditions de Voyages - Michelin”;
• The Aquitaine Routard Guide;
• The various publications and documentation from the Tourist Offices of Lot-et-Garonne...