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 The
Two
Valleys
101 km
Today we will explore the area where the two rivers, which give the Department its name, meet. You will visit the point where the rivers actually come together and travel through the famous Buzet
vineyards.
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For
lovers of the table |
Craft |
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Leave Agen on the D119 towards Brax. 4 km after Sérignac, take a left fork to Montesquieu (14 km). A former fiefdom of the " de Secondat de Montesquieus ", the family of the famous author of " The Spirit of the Laws ", it was the gift of Jeanne d'Albret in 1564. Contrary to popular belief, the de Secondat family were not from Bordeaux, but from the Agen region, where they had been established since the 15th century.
Panoramic views.
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remains of the 12th century castle.
The Regional Plant Conservatory and Living Fruit Tree Museum.:05.53.95.21.13
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Prunes : the Roques Farm. Tel :05.53.68.60.39
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Go back to the D119 and turn left towards Bruch (2 km). An old fortified square at the foot of the Gascony
hills.
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the 13th century gate-tower, the ramparts, the Gothic church of St Amand.
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Prunes : the Briteste Farm. Tel :05.53.95.22.66
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Leave Vianne on the D642 to Calezun and Buzet sur Baïse (10 km). The village is at the heart of the famous vineyards and is also a River Tourism centre with the Lateral Canal and the Baïse.
Mooring facilities. Bar / Restaurant.
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For lovers of the table : AOC wines. Château Matelot. Tel :05.53.84.77.18
The Cooperative Cellars. Tel :05.53.84.74.30
Restaurant Le Vigneron. Tel :05.53.84.73.46
Auberge du Goujon Qui Frétille. Tel :05.53.84.26.51
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Leave the village on the D108 towards
Damazan (5 km). A Bastide founded in 1256 which has retained some of its original features such as the central square with its arcades.
Bar / Restaurant. Landscaped lake.
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the Rue de Buzet with a row of listed houses, circular corner towers.
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Take the D8 to St Léger (3 km), situated at the meeting point of the Garonne and the Baïse. Boats going from the Baïse to the Lot are towed by the " Confluent " as far as Nicole.
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the lock joining the Baïse and the Garonne, 40.5 metres long, 5.2 metres wide and 8.5 metres
deep.
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Cross the Garonne and go left on the D642 to Aiguillon (2 km). This area was elevated to the status of Duchy by Louis XIII to the benefit of the local lords,who were close relations of Richelieu. One of them, Armand de Vignerot du Plessis de Richelieu, distinguished himself as Minister of War and Foreign Affairs under Louis XV.
Medieval quarter. Shops. Bar / Restaurant. A beach has been developed on the banks of the Lot.
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the Dukes' Castle (18th century), Lunac Castle (12th century), the Bernet wash-house, the Raoul Dastrac
Museum.
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Restaurant la Terrasse de l'Etoile, Tel :05.53.79.64.64
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Take the RN113 in the Bordeaux direction as far as Nicole and then take a left fork , climbing up to
the Pech de Berre (1km). This 160metre promontory gives superb views of the meeting of the Lot and Garonne rivers.
Map.
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Go back down to Nicole and go right on the D271 to Clairac (7.5
km). The village is situated on a terrace overlooking the River Lot and was developed when Pepin the Short decided to found a Benedictine Abbey on the site in 767. The Abbey's monks were the originators of the area's two main crops : tobacco and the Ente
plum.
Fine wash-house. Beach. Shops. Bar / Restaurant. Mooring facilities.Art Gallery.
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The Abbey of the Automatons. Tel :05.53.79.34.81
The Miniature Train Museum Tel :05.53.88.04.30
The Magic Forest. Tel :05.53.84.27.54
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Beef and fruit. M. Kerloc'h. Tel : 05.53.79.22.97
Le Papagayo dance hall. Tel :05.53.84.34.48
Restaurant l'Ecuelle d'Or, Tel :05.53.88.19.78
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Continue on the D911 for 3km, fork left towards Marsac, then take the D202 to
Laparade (6 km). A Bastide founded in 1269. Fine market hall, half-timbered houses, covered walkways. Craftwork. Superb views over the Lot valley
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Restaurant Panorama, Tel :05.53.79.61.12
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Take the D263 to Castelmoron and then the D13 via Montpezat and Laugnac back to Agen (38.5
km).
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