The Bastide Villages in the Lot Valley.

Kingfisher Holidays specialise in high quality holiday accommodation in South France. We have a large number of excellent gites in the area known as the Lot Valley. This beautiful and verdant part of south west France, just five hours south of Paris is quaint and picturesque. Travelling around its medieval villages is like stepping back in time; pretty little stone cottages festooned with Bougainvillea line the streets, interspersed with delightful little cafés, shops and restaurants, many of which serve fresh local produce and their own, very good local wines.

Located north of the Midi-Pyrenees and just east of the Dordogne department of Aquitaine, The Lot is a land of beautiful landscapes, dramatic gorges, slow moving rivers, and lush vineyards. The region is dotted with unassuming small towns and villages, which are unspoiled by the passage of time and a delight to discover and explore. Our properties are located within a 50 mile radius, or thereabouts, of the Lot River between Cahors and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. This includes the three French departments of Lot et Garonne, Lot and Tarn et Garonne.

The landscape is a mixture of rolling hills, wide river valleys, small farms, oak woods, walnut groves and limestone cliffs topped with ancient fortified towns known as bastides. There are many bastide towns in this area of France. Founded in the 13th century, they were new towns for their time and built with one purpose in mind; to improve the security and safety of the residents and promote trade. Bastides were usually built in a grid layout, with equal space allocated to each house. The grid centred on a square, which often contained a market hall with sheltered arcades around the edges.

Many of these bastide towns were fortified to protect against the English in the Hundred Years War and these fortifications remain, for the most part today, a testament to their construction and to the zeal with which they were protected. Some fine examples of these medieval bastides are the towns of Tournon D'Agenais, Penne D'Agenais, Monflanquin, Villereal and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Read on to discover more of these historic towns.

Tournon d'Agenais

Founded in 1270 by Raymond VII Count of Toulouse, the town of Tournon D'Agenais stands proud, high up on the rocks from which there is a breathtaking view of the Boudouyssou Valley. Turn to look behind you and you’ll see verdant forest land and be treated to views over the Quercy Blanc.

This site of historical interest with its protected walls and Royal history retains many of its local traditions. It is a peaceful environment, surrounded by natural beauty with hilly woodlands and meadows displaying a remarkable variety of plant and animal life.

Like many bastides, Tournon d'Agenais was created in an orderly gridiron pattern with the roads leading out from a central market square complete with clock tower and church. The square is surrounded by arches which themselves house craft shops, cafés, bars and restaurants.

Penne d'Agenais

The road to Penne d’Agenais is steep but the view from the top and the town itself is breathtaking and well worth the trip. Situated on the border of Perigord, Guyenne and Quercy, the surrounding countryside and stunning views over the Lot valley and the Pays de Serres make for the most wonderful photo opportunities, regardless of the season.

Penne d'Agenais is a few kilometres south-east of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, on the River Lot and in the Lot et Garonne department. A small village, Penne d'Agenais is very pretty. It seems at first sight, to consist of a single road, heading upwards. Fairly soon though, you see that this is dissected by little lanes and alleyways, many of which hide quaint little restaurants, bars and local shops. On your journey up through the village, you will pass lots of attractive houses and public buildings, many of which will be draped with seasonal flowers or decoration. At the very top of the hill you’ll find the substantial basilica of Notre-Dame du Peyragude. This is surrounded by a wide open space which is ideal for a picnic stop.

Monflanquin

A wonderful medieval bastide village in the south west corner of France, the village of Monflanquin was established in the year 1284 and is recognized as one of the best preserved bastide villages in France. In addition, Monflanquin has been designated one of the most beautiful villages in France. The area features glorious castles hidden away in the rolling hills, wonderful rivers and fascinating prehistoric caves.

Many of the buildings here date back to the 15th century and beyond and still display their tremendous character, original stone walls and great rustic appeal. Monflanquin sits high on a hill, its two church towers silhouetted on the skyline can be seen for miles around. Cobbled alleys lead to a central arcaded square where the weekly market is held and restaurants and bars can be found. During the summer months there are music and art exhibitions and medieval festivals reflecting the town’s cultural heritage. Situated in the gently rolling countryside between the picturesque Dordogne and Lot Valleys, it features numerous places of interest, prehistoric sites, châteaux and gardens.

Villereal

Villereal was founded in 1272 and is one of hundreds of old fortified towns or “bastides” in the south west of France constructed during the hundred year’s war between England and France. There are several of these bastides around Villereal, each about 15 kilometres apart and each with a special flavour and interest. Set in a region between the two great rivers of the Dordogne and Lot, Villereal is a tourist paradise with activities and historical sites to interest all ages and tastes.

It is a lively town and a great place to sit outside a café and watch the world go by. The town boasts all the amenities you’d expect in a thriving community including shops and supermarkets, newsagents, a chemist, bakers, banks, restaurants and bars and it is close to the medieval towns of Issigeac, Monpazier, Monflanquin, Beaumont, Domme and Castillones.

Villeneuve-sur-Lot

Villeneuve-sur-Lot is a bastide town that has moved with the times. Much larger now, than it once was and more modern too, it still retains many interesting and ancient features. The centre of the town is found between two old gateways; the Porte de Paris and the Porte de Pujols, which can easily be seen as you approach the town from either direction. The Porte de Paris was built in the 14th century and like Villeneuve itself, is a mixture of old stone and the red brick of Toulouse.

Between the two towers you’ll find the Rue de Paris, the main shopping street of Villeneuve and this leads on to the Place Lafayette which is the town’s central square. The square is surrounded by arcaded shops and on Tuesday and Saturday mornings it plays host to the towns market. There are many other historic buildings and points of interest in Villeneuve sur Lot and among those to look out for are St Catherine’s Church with its wonderful tower, ‘Pont Vieux’ which is a 13th century bridge, based on the bridge at Cahors, the “Tour de Pujols” and the Art Museum of Villeneuve.

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