If you are wondering what to see around Agen, then I suggest you discover the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne.

Circuit the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne

Indeed, when I started looking for a nice destination for a small tourist weekend, I chose Lot et Garonne, about a hundred kilometers from my home because I live in Toulouse en Occitanie.

I organized a road trip 2 days through a picturesque territory where you can enjoy good gastronomy and pretty typical bastides.

Indeed, my tourist circuit in the Lot et Garonne allows you to discover some of the most beautiful villages in France, castles and lakes with pretty beaches.

And I can tell you that the Lot et Garonne is a good destination to disconnect for a weekend while discovering beautiful landscapes and postcard villages!

Pujols among the most beautiful villages in France
Pujols labeled the most beautiful village in France

Where is the Lot et Garonne in France?

Located in the south-west of France, Lot et Garonne is a department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region halfway between Bordeaux et Toulouse. The Lot et Garonne is known for its main town (Agen), its prunes and its pretty bastides.

BASTIDE IN LOT ET GARONNE near Agen
Bastide of Damazan

Tourist Lot and Garonne?

Yes, in particular thanks to the Walibi Park which is located in Rocquefort and which attracts many families. But more and more tourists are also choosing this holiday destination to enjoy the natural beauty of the landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine.

Indeed, the Lot et Garonne is a kind of hidden gem not yet touched by mass tourism. Less touristy than Lot or Dordogne, yet with its picturesque landscapes, charming medieval villages and historic castles, the Lot et Garonne is an ideal holiday destination.

Villages to visit around Agen

In addition, the region is home to the Lot, the Garonne and beautiful lakes which offer plenty of opportunities for water sports and outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, fishing and swimming.

How to come to Lot et Garonne?

For those who travel by plane, the two closest airports to get to Lot et Garonne are:

  • Toulouse-Blagnac airport
  • Bordeaux-Merignac airport

Of course, it will be necessary to rent a car at the airport to reach in 1h15 the departure of my tourist circuit of the most beautiful villages of the Lot et Garonne.

For those who prefer to travel by train, it is best to take a ticket to Agen, the largest city in Lot et Garonne. You can take the TGV to Bordeaux and then a connection to Agen.

Penne d'Agenais village to visit in Lot et Garonne
Penne from Agenais

Villages to visit around Agen

From the perched village of Penne-d'Agenais to the medieval jewel of Pujols, there is no shortage of beautiful villages to visit. Here is the list of the main villages to visit around Agen:

  • Pujols
  • Fumel
  • Penne from Agenais
  • Villereal
  • Montflanquin
  • Villeneuve-sur-Lot
  • Tournon d'Agenais
  • Nerac
  • Prayssas
  • Saint Sardos
  • Montpezat
  • The parade
  • Lavardac

But difficult to know how to visit all these beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne. As a result, a small tourist circuit is ideal to visit them in 2 days.

Visit the Lot et Garonne in 2 days

The ideal way to fully discover the region and its many tourist sites is to visit the Lot et Garonne in 1 week.

But if you only have a weekend, it is possible to visit the Lot et Garonne in 2 days. For this, you will have to concentrate only on the most beautiful villages and the remarkable castles because you will not have time to do all the tourist sites or the many beautiful hikes in the region.

However, you will see that in 2 days in the Lot et Garonne, you will visit magnificent places around Agen. But you have to be well organized by following a tourist circuit which allows you to visit the most beautiful villages of the Lot et Garonne. This is what I offer below.

Moulin des Tours stage of my tourist circuit in Lot et Garonne

The most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne in 2 days

To visit the Lot et Garonne in 2 days, I have eliminated visits to museums and churches in order to favor the most beautiful bastides, perched villages, medieval villages and the most beautiful tourist sites around Agen. Then, I organized them into 2 circuits:

  • Circuit of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne DAY 1
  • Circuit of the most beautiful villages around Agen DAY 2

To carry out these 2 circuits, it is important to choose accommodation ideally located in the middle of the most beautiful villages of the Lot et Garonne (see my accommodation recommendation in Castelmoron-sur-Lot below).

What to visit around Agen: Château de Bonaguil

Circuit of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne – DAY 1

Here are the most beautiful villages around the Lot et Garonne selected for my DAY 1 circuit:

  • Clairac
  • Temple sur Lot – Latour-Marliac water lily garden
  • Pujols labeled among the most beautiful villages in France
  • Villeneuve-sur-Lot
  • Penne from Agenais
  • Fumel
  • Bonaguil Castle
  • Montflanquin labeled among the most beautiful villages in France
  • Castelmoron-sur-Lot

Itinerary of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne – DAY 1

Here is the map of the route that you can follow in GPS mode to make the tourist circuit of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne on DAY 1:

https://goo.gl/maps/1S88ahegJqLQMkDC6

Circuit of the most beautiful villages around Agen – DAY 2

Here are the most beautiful villages around Agen selected for my DAY 2 circuit:

  • Montpezat and its mill
  • Prayssas
  • Nérac and its Henri IV castle
  • Mill of Tours
  • Xaintrailles and its castle
  • Château de Lavardac in the heart of the Buzet vineyard
  • Bastide of Damazan
  • Moulineau Lake
  • Sting
  • Castelmoron-sur-Lot and its beach on the banks of the Lot

Itinerary of the most beautiful villages around Agen – DAY 2

Here is the map of the route that you can follow in GPS mode to do the Day 2 tourist circuit:

https://goo.gl/maps/CgPD7YKXxr3JWfPWA

Visits around Agen – Program for the 1st day

Here are the stages of the circuit of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne of DAY 1 with photos and tourist information:

Castelmoron-sur-Lot and its beach

This is the point of departure and arrival of my 2 tourist circuits. Indeed, it is an ideally located place to visit all the most beautiful villages of the Lot et Garonne.

Nestled on the banks of the Lot, Castelmoron is the ideal destination to discover the region but also to spend a very good holiday.

Indeed, Castelmoron sur Lot has a pretty beach suitable for swimming, fishing and boating. It is possible to rent a canoe or a kayak to discover the landscapes along the Lot. And if you are a nature lover, there are many hiking trails starting from Castelmoron.

Here is the link to book your ideal accommodation as a base to be able to tour the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne:

Where to stay to visit the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne

Clairac and its abbey

The 2nd stage of my DAY 1 tourist circuit is the village of Clairac. It is renowned for its magnificent abbey of Saint-Pierre which has been transformed into a place for receptions. This amazing Romanesque church dates from the 11th century and features beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. History lovers will not fail to visit the museum which presents the richness of the history and heritage of Clairac.

You can also take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Garonne, swim on a small beach or rent a kayak to cruise along the water.

Water lily garden in Latour-Marliac

Continuing my circuit, you can then stop at Temple sur Lot to visit the pretty garden of water lilies.

Garden of water lilies, a stopover on my Lot et Garonne tourist circuit

Most beautiful villages in Lot et Garonne: Pujols

This charming village is labeled the most beautiful village in France. Perched 180 meters on a hill which offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, it is definitely worth a visit.

In addition to its pretty square, its charming alleys or its fortified gate, the 2 must-see attractions in Pujols are the 12th century Romanesque church of Saint-Nicolas and the church of Sainte-Foy. 

Villeneuve-sur-Lot

By following my route, you can stop to take some pictures of Villeneuve sur Lot. You can admire the Pont des Cieutat which dates from the 13th century, Place Lafayette and the Sainte-Catherine church which presents an impressive Gothic architecture.

Villeneuve sur Lot around Agen

Most beautiful villages in Lot et Garonne: Penne d'Agenais

The medieval village of Penne d'Agenais is perched on a hill overlooking the Lot valley. It's my favorite because this village is breathtakingly beautiful.

You will have to climb to the very top of the village to discover another splendor of this pretty village: The church of Notre-Dame-de-Peyragude and its silver domes.

What to see around Agen: Sanctuary at Penne d'Agenais

And if you are brave, by climbing behind the church, you will arrive at the very top to the ruins of the Castle of Richard the Lionheart.

Fumel and the Château de Bonaguil

Fumel has a fascinating history dating back to the Middle Ages which is reflected in its impressive buildings and sites. You can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and admire the beautiful medieval houses and churches that line the route.

But Fumel is best known for the Château de Bonaguil which is 8 km from the town.

Château de Bonaguil to see in the Lot et Garonne

Its gigantic proportions, in a remarkable state of preservation, make it an essential site when visiting the Lot et Garonne. For the record, you should know that this 13th century fortress has never been taken by enemies simply because it has never been attacked.

Most beautiful villages in Lot et Garonne: Montflanquin

Montflanquin is renowned for the beauty of its architecture and the richness of its history. The village dates back to the 13th century and it is easy to see the influence of the Middle Ages in its narrow lanes, stone houses and fortified gates. It's no wonder Montflanquin has been named one of the most beautiful villages in France.

This village is also one of the most beautiful Bastides of the Lot et Garonne. Indeed, from the Place des Arcades which is surrounded by arcades and medieval houses start all the streets of Monflanquin.

Visits around Agen – Program for the 2nd day

Here are the visits you can do around Agen for this 2nd day with photos and tourist information. The starting point is always Castelmoron sur Lot.

Montpezat and its mill

One of the main tourist attractions of this tiny village is its old mill which stands proudly in the center of the village. This windmill is a magnificent structure that bears witness to the ingenuity and skill of the inhabitants of the region centuries ago.

Monpezat Lot et Garonne

Prayssas remarkable village of the Lot et Garonne

Continuing my circuit of the most beautiful villages of the Lot et Garonne, you can stop to take some photos of Prayssas classified as a remarkable village:

Prayssas remarkable village around Agen

Nérac and its Henri IV castle

When you arrive at the royal city of Nérac, don't forget to admire the Pont Vieux. It is indeed, the historical bridge of Nérac which spans the Baïse river. This magnificent stone bridge was built in the 14th century and is still in use today. You can take a leisurely stroll on the bridge and enjoy the breathtaking view of the banks and part of the Château Henri IV.

Stage of my tour of the most beautiful villages of Lot et Garonne with NERAC

One of the main attractions in Nérac is the Château-Musée Henri IV, a magnificent castle dating from the 16th century.

This impressive structure has been restored to its former glory and now houses a museum that showcases the city's history and culture.

Mill of Tours

A few kilometers from Nérac, my tourist circuit takes you to the town of Lavardac to discover the Moulin des Tours or Barbaste mill or Henri IV mill.

This ingenious mill was used in turn as a flour mill, fuller, electricity production and cork stopper manufacturing.

Xaintrailles and its castle

Following my tourist circuit, we pass through the village of Xaintrailles where there is a private castle. You can admire it from its entrance but you have to book to visit it inside.

Village and castle near Agen

Village of Damazan and Lac du Moulineau

By following my itinerary, you will arrive at the heart of a pretty, colorful village in Lot et Garonne: La Bastide de Damazan.

DAMAZAN TO VISIT IN LOT ET GARONNE

And right next to this pretty village, there is a beautiful lake where you can swim and enjoy multiple water activities

Moulineau Lake in Lot et Garonne

This is the last stage of my tourist circuit in Lot et Garonne which will allow you to relax and cool off!

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