Albret

Between Landes and Gascony, this historic heart of the southwest still beats to the rhythm of its rich history. It is the land of the Albret family, one of the most powerful in Aquitaine, of Jeanne d'Albret and Henri IV, her son, whose castle you will visit in his fiefdom of Nérac, pearl of the region.

L'Albret will be an ideal holiday spot for all those looking for this art of living so Aquitaine, between rest in the heart of a hilly landscape dotted with castles and mills, calm rivers and a gargantuan gastronomy. It is a small region with multiple riches still a little spared from the big tourist influxes of the Aquitaine coast yet so close.

Nerac

Nérac requires a mandatory one-day stopover in order to discover the pearl of Albret in detail.

This small town is perfectly maintained. The old town extends on a slope, sometimes steep, along the Baïse, a navigable river on which you will enjoy a peaceful cruise.

Visiting Nérac means projecting yourself back to the time of the rides of Henri IV who appreciated the place.

Nérac © AdobeStock Chris Mann

The town, located 30 km southwest of Agen, is made up of 2 districts:

• The old town and the castle district on the right bank;
• The “modern” town called “Le Petit Nérac” on the left bank.

Discover the Henri IV castle, remarkable for its southern gallery and harmonious arcades. Take a leisurely stroll through the old streets typical of the medieval city, going down towards the Baïse, or the Pont Vieux, a magnificent Gothic bridge. It will offer you a superb overall view of the old buildings of the Tanneries district along the river and of the dam and lock downstream.

Going back up the rue Séderie and the Maison de Sully, a beautiful Renaissance residence, you will stop at the harbor master's office of the Port of Nérac. The latter will offer you a bucolic and relaxing cruise on the Baïse which has the particularity of being navigable despite its small size.

Before going back up to the castle by the Pont Neuf and its splendid view of the residence of Henri IV, the quays and the old quarters, take a stroll at the Garenne. It is here that the father of Henri IV, Antoine de Bourbon, had a long and romantic promenade built, dotted with fountains, including that of Fleurette.

Finally, Nérac is also home to several famous people:

• the famous Baron Haussmann, a sub-prefect;
• Armand Fallières, mayor of Nérac, who became President of the French Republic between 1906 and 1913;
• The singer Michel Polnareff, born in Nérac in 1944…

Nerac @ Charline Prod'Homme

In Pays d'Albret, pass by the Château de Pomarède, a 17th century Gascon house and its dovecote.

In Mézin, besides the central square, its stone houses with arcades and the church of St Jean Baptiste, visit the original museum of cork and stoppers. This museum reminds us that Mézin was the capital of the cork stopper.

Barbaste is a must-see for its "mill of towers" on the banks of the Gélise, dating from Henri IV. It proudly stands with its four towers above the Gélise as well as a remarkable ten-arched Romanesque bridge that defended the building.

Barbaste @ Charline Prod'Homme

An old English fortified town dating back to 1284, Vianne will surprise you with its authenticity. Indeed, the town has preserved its rectangular fortified enclosure and its checkerboard plan perfectly intact. On the program for this visit: magnificent church complex, fortified bell tower and cemetery near the North Gate.

In the south of the region, finally visit Poudenas. This very pretty village on the hillside is dominated by its pretty castle, at the foot of which is an old mill. It is an old coaching inn with a superb wooden gallery.