Villeneuve-Vallée du Lot Tourist Office

Lot-et-Garonne is a region rich in architectural and cultural heritage , offering visitors a real immersion in the history and traditions of an authentic land. Its typical villages, often perched on hillsides or nestling in lush green valleys, are a real treasure trove for lovers of beautiful landscapes.

In addition to its bastide towns, Lot-et-Garonne is packed withancient châteaux, small churches and half-timbered houses that bear witness to its rich past. The beauty of the architectural heritage is enhanced by an exceptional natural environment. Rivers, wooded hills and orchards create a soothing atmosphere around the villages.

In conclusion, Lot-et-Garonne invites you to take a journey back in time, to discover an exceptional architectural and cultural heritage, rooted in a generous natural environment. Each village tells its own unique story, and is a must for those wishing to explore the authenticity and richness of this region of south-west France.

With their centuries-old stonework and living traditions, the villages of Lot-et-Garonne tell the story of a land where authenticity and beauty meet at every turn.

Casseneuil

The name Casseneuil comes from “Cassanea” meaning oak grove and “ialos” meaning cultivated clearing.

This natural peninsula offers an abundance of water, game and vegetation, and has been occupied since prehistoric times. The Gauls and Romans then settled here.

From the 5th to the 9th century, various invasions by so-called “barbarian” peoples shaped the topography of the town, which became enclosed within its ramparts.

Later, from 1209 to 1229, the Albigensian crusade led to the destruction of the first village of Casseneuil. In the 13th century, the village was rebuilt with its church, castle and fortifications.

Today, Casseneuil retains all its charm of yesteryear. The main economic activity is still agriculture, and Casseneuil is renowned asone of the most important prune-growing strongholds.

Visit Casseneuil on your own

Laroque-timbaut

Laroque-Timbaut is a village that dates back at least to the 13th century, as evidenced by the many vestiges of its medieval past.

Built on top of a cliff, the village owes its name to the Occitan “roca” meaning “rock” and also a fortification built on the rock. Here, “La roque” means the fortress: the castle on a rock. As for the rest of the name, “Thibaut” is a deformation of Thibaud, who was probably the founder of the village in the Middle Ages.

This medieval village, whose foundation date is unknown, was mentioned in 1270 in the charter of customs given to the inhabitants by the members of the Laroque family.

Visit Laroque-Timbaut on your own

©P11 Chapelle Saint Germain Laroque Timbaut Les Coflocs 1 Min|Les Coflocs

Hautefage-la-Tour

The etymology of Hautefage, “Alta Fagus”, “high beech”, and the presence of the reputedly miraculous spring flowing into the church, might suggest that there was a pagan place of worship on this site, which the church replaced.

The built heritage preserved by the municipality allows us to date the first urban settlement to the 12th century. However, archaeological finds show that the site was occupied as early as the Middle Bronze Age.

The full name of Hautefage-la-Tour is a recent one, since it was not until 1919 that the municipal authorities decided to add a reference to the Episcopal castle located there to the term Hautefage.