For nature holidays, head to the Pays du Dropt!

Are you tempted by a stay in Lot-et-Garonne? To change the Lot and Garonne valleys a bit, we take you to the north of the department. In the Pays du Dropt, you will see beautiful medieval bastides, classified among the most beautiful villages in France. This very natural territory is a fabulous playground, where you can practice all kinds of sports and outdoor activities. But it is also the wine-growing region of the renowned Bergerac-Duras wines. The Lot-et-Garonne Guide offers you an astonishing journey that will titillate the taste buds of gourmets, enchant contemplative walkers and stretch the legs of hikers and cyclists.

Opening photo: The beautiful Château de Bonaguil in the Lot-et-Garonnaise countryside. Photo: © panosud360 / AdobeStock

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Take a road trip in the Pays du Dropt to admire its medieval heritage

On the roads of the Pays du Dropt, you will have the opportunity to cross charming villages, to stroll in the alleys of medieval bastides, to admire the architecture of the " most beautiful villages in France". Here is our selection of villages not to be missed during your road trip in the Pays du Dropt:

• Monflanquin is a good starting point for entering this “ country of bastides ”. It is one of the “ Most Beautiful Villages of France ”. Its medieval streets will lead you to the Maison du Prince Noir, the market hall and many other interesting monuments. We suggest you start your visit with the Bastides Museum (fr). It allows you to better understand the function of the bastides, their architecture and life in these fortified towns in the Middle Ages.

• In Villeréal, you will be impressed by its fortified church, with its two towers. While strolling in the country house, you will also appreciate its wooden hall and its half-timbered houses.

• Castillonnès (fr) is a rich city, with many points of interest: abbey, central square, Museum of History and Heritage... To get off the beaten track, stop off at the Chocolate Museum of the Rody Chocolate Factory. This museum awakens all your senses to help you discover this delicacy, in all its facets. On site, a workshop will introduce you to making your own chocolate bar!

• Lauzun is an ancient ducal city. The Renaissance-style castle is a marvel to see and visit. More unusual, you will find in Lauzun an astonishing exhibition on the history of costume, nestled in a sheepfold.

• Miramont-de-Guyenne is a former royal bastide. If it has evolved over time, it still retained its original structure. It is a bright and lively city.

• Allemans-du-Dropt is crossed by the Dropt. This is a refreshing village, popular in the summer, but its heritage is also interesting: the ^10th century church, hall, loft, laundry, mill...
• Loubès-Bernac is a charming country village, which comes alive during the summer with traditional and authentic festivals.
• Duras is one of the essentials. Its castle you reveals a side of life in the ^17th century, opening its basement... You go behind the scenes of history! Do not forget to take a short break to taste the wines of Duras.
• This is the end of our road trip and a return to Monflanquin, with a last stop in the medieval village of Cancon. Its surrounding wall and round tower are remarkable. Cancon is also called the “ Capital of Hazelnut ”. You will visit the Maison de la Noisette (fr), with its museum, its shop and a free tasting.

To get children to participate, Terra Aventura Nouvelle Aquitaine makes you travel to the Pays du Dropt in a different way!

Walk the paths of the Pays du Dropt, on foot or by bike

We have promised you natural activities in the Dropt… Because walking the country roads is not just by car! This country lends itself well to hiking and cycling.

The Grande Randonnée Paths guide you on the famous "Ways of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle ", through the Pays du Dropt. From north to south, you can join the GR64 in Castillonnès, as far as Cancon. It is a good way to take advantage of the very natural environment of this territory. Along the GR636, you go east from Castillonnès to Lacapelle-Biron, passing through Monflanquin, Gavaudun castle and Biron castle.

Find the details of these routes on the GR-infos.com website (fr)

There are many other hiking trails that will take you through the bastides, the most beautiful villages in France and the Dropt countryside. There are beautiful walks to do in the vineyard hills, meadows and forests. You will find many routes on the Duras tourist office (fr) website and on the Lauzun country website (fr).

If you are more of a cyclist, the Véloroute de la Vallée du Dropt crosses it from Duras to Fumel. 97 km of beautiful roads are at your disposal and allow you to walk along the river called " the Dropt ". You can also connect the Véloroute de la Vallée du Lot on one side or the Canal des Deux Mers on the other.

Consult the itinerary and practical details on the Véloroute et Voies Verdes website (fr).

Loopi-Vélo (fr) is a geolocated application to download on a smartphone.

To change your mount, the IGN Rando site (fr) presents an interactive map of equestrian hiking trails. Consult our section on equestrian centers to find your guide and the mount that suits you. Beautiful horse or pony rides await you there.

Take the Bergerac-Duras wine route

To discover this original wine-growing region between the slopes of Duras and Bergerac, we recommend that you take the Bergerac-Duras wine route (fr). Throughout the areas, you can learn about wine tourism. Here are our good addresses:

• Domaine Amblard is a family story of passionate winegrowers and lovers of their land, since 1938. Tours of the estate are regularly organized. In a friendly atmosphere, your guides will make you taste with humor their Désir'Osé, Cœur'Osé, Sup'Osé, ...
• Château Molhière is located in the heart of a very old Côtes de Duras vineyard. This property, dating from the ^16th century, and its traditional barrel cellar worth a visit. The owners have been able to combine tradition and technology to perpetuate their activity and ensure the future of this area.
• Domaine de Durand produces organic wines, which have received numerous distinctions. To see the area from another angle, they also do hot air balloon flights.

Here is our article on the Wines of Bergerac-Duras or on site, meet at the Maison des Vins de Duras (fr).

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Leisure and cultural activities in the Dropt

The Pays de Dropt hosts all kinds of nature, sports, cultural activities...

Between Castillonnès and Cancon, you can relax by the water, at Lake Lougratte (fr). On site, you can fish, play sports on the grounds, let the children play in the playground, stroll in and around the village, swim and enjoy its leisure center during the summer. In short, you will not get bored in Lougratte and its lake.

Next to Duras, you can gain height and admire the Dropt country from the treetops of the Des-chênes-toi Aventure tree-climbing park. 16 courses, including 200 workshops and 2 zip lines, await you for a good time of family sport, because the park is accessible from 3 years old!

Of course the country of bastides conceals many treasures and castles to protect them...

• To go back in time, the Château de Gavaudun is a witness to history and the 100 Years War. From the top of this keep, perched on its rocky outcrop, you will have a breathtaking panorama and you will feel the harshness of this troubled time.
• The Fortress of Bonaguil (fr) is an impressive fortified castle typical of the Middle Ages. It comes alive during the school and summer holidays, to make you live an immersion in the medieval world.
• We take a leap back in time at the Château de Lauzun to admire the splendor of the Renaissance. This residence has the appearance of a palace and offers an exceptional setting for exhibitions and events.
• Finally, the Château de Duras, enjoy life in the ^17th century castle, with its furnished interiors and basements reserved for servants.

If you fancy an unusual visit, take a detour on the path that leads to the Château de Bonaguil to visit the Ministoria, a former school that takes you through the history of France (fr), through its key moments, from an angle. playful and original.

Here is our selection of visits, outings and tourist sites to do in Dropt, to discover this little-known territory of Lot-et-Garonne. We hope to have made you want to make an original getaway during your next vacation.

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