The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Lot-et-Garonne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The powerful Berenger de Roquefeuil (1448-1530), descended from the aristocracy of Quercy and Rouergue, devoted several years of his life to making of Bonaguil the fortress of legend that it is today. It equips the castle with an enormous barbican, with six towers, one of which is among the most beautiful in the country, with seven drawbridges, a baffle, a casemate, gunboats and a pierced sparrow tower Of loopholes for a more incisive defense of the ditches. In spite of a paradoxical situation between Quercy and Perigord, far from the main thoroughfares, magnificent architecture, gigantic proportions (the quarter in plan of the city of Carcassonne) and a state of conservation so remarkable led VIOLLET-LE-DUC, Lawrence d'ARABIE or André BRETON to quote Bonaguil as an example! The commune of Fumel bought Bonaguil in 1860 and classified it under the title of Historic Monuments in 1862.

Steam Blower (19th century)

Discover one of Southwest France's best-kept secrets: Latour-Marliac, the official 19th century creator and supplier of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet's famous water lilies. Water lily and lotus production continues apace at the nursery today, which is now the oldest of its kind in the world, and the site has become one of the region's major tourist attractions. Named “Jardin Remarquable” in 2004 by France’s Ministry of Culture and Communications for its physical beauty and historical significance, you'll leave here understanding why France truly was the birthplace of the water lily as we know it today.At Latour-Marliac you will find over 300 varieties of hardy and tropical water lily in the French National Water Lily Collection, thousands more water lilies and lotus in our cultivation pools, the glasshouse that holds the Victoria (giant Amazonian water lily), 6 acres of landscaped gardens, a giant bamboo collection, the lake with its Japanese bridge, a koi fountain, waterfall, hilltop gazebo, museum and boutique.

Through the different periods : middle age, french Renaissance and french Revolution, Duras fortress has been the testimony of lots of upheavals. The Durfort-Duras, by then dukes of France transformed the castle into a magnificent mansion at the XVII° century. Go through the history and ancient architecture visiting the 30 rooms of this castle, now classified an historical monument.

Heretical point of reference at the XI°century, rebuild during the XIII°century, the Castle of Gavaudun, of daring conception, has a remarkable defending system appropriate to the site( entrance cut into the rock, curtains crowning the spur, donjon with 6 levels reaching at height of 70 meters, arrow with double cross,...).

The Cork Museum of Mézin tells the story of an industry dated from the 18th century which grew up until the 1950's : cork-owks were cultivated and the bark was turned into stoppers.The Cord Museum holds the designation "Musée de France". It conserves and brings out a unique collection of tools, machines and photographies collected in the firms of the area "Albret".

Une découverte unique d’une grande spécialité du Lot et Garonne. Amalia, Augustin et leur équipe vous invitent à la découverte des savoureux secrets de la noisette. Au cœur de la noiseraie, dans un superbe paysage de coteaux, vous pénétrez dans un monde de noisettes. Vous apprenez, au travers d’une visite ludique comment se récolte la noisette, pourquoi sa culture est aussi respectueuse de l’environnement et pourquoi il pousse si bien en Lot et Garonne… Laissez-vous guider vers une dégustation des spécialités toutes chaudes sorties de l’Atelier de transformation de la ferme, aux odeurs grillées, pralinées, chocolatées… Appréciez la palette des saveurs et des textures qu’offre ce petit fruit pour tous les bons moments de la journée.

At the foot of the stunning Bonaguil castle, history moves on …. The museum awaits you for an original historical visit through stunning sketches which tell key events of world history: major discoveries, important battles and various highlights throughout centuries , you’ll also be able to see rare items.