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 Have
you
got a day
to spare
and
a car
handy ?
We suggest a 73 km circuit to the North-East of Agen around the
wooded hillsides and their "pechs" or hilltops.
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For
lovers of the table |
Craft |
Photos |
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Leaving
Agen, take the RN 113 towards Bordeaux. 1 km after the " Fourtic " turn right towards
Clermont Dessous (17 km). The defensive position of this fortified site allowed its occupants to control the river traffic on the Garonne
below.
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the 13th century church, the remains of the 15th century castle and the panoramic view over the
valley.
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Crêperie le Troubadour. Tel : 05.53.87.24.45
Restaurant la Marmite . Tel : 05.53.67.40.72
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Take the same road back down and turn right towards
Bazens (1 km). This was the court of the Bishop of Agen, Matteo Bandello (1480-1561), in the 16th century. A friend of Scaliger, he is well-known for his short stories - light, satirical portraits of Renaissance society, which gave Shakespeare inspiration for " Romeo and Juliet " and several of the
Comedies.
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the fortified church with Romanesque and Gothic features and the remains of the medieval
castle.
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Artisan distillery of a liqueur made from Williams pears.
M. Gros. 05.53.87.20.56
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Follow the D118 towards Frégimont
(2 km). Panoramic views.
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the restored castle and the church of St. Quitterie.
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fruit and vegetables in season. M. Marmié. Tel : 05.53.87.23.06.
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Continue on the D118 towards Prayssas (5 km). A circular medieval village with four gateways, famous for its chasselas grapes. The annual Fruit Festival in August attracts nearly 20,000 visitors. Shops and a bar/restaurant.
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the central square with its arcades on the site of the old chateau ; the 15th century frescoes in the church.
Mountain bike hire. Tel : 05.53.95.00.67
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Take the D146 to Lacépède (9.5 km) (from the Latin cepium, a garden or orchard), a village nestling among wooded valleys and chasselas vineyards. These were the lands of the des Laville-sur-Ilon
family.
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1.5 before Lacépède, on the left, the charming 12th century church of Quittimont.
The Salabert ornithological lake with its wildlife observatory. Tel : 06.03.16.43.34
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Leave the " D road " in the direction of
St Sardos (2km). This old 13th century Bastide was destroyed by the English in 1323, thus giving the French King a reason to go to war. The incident was the prelude to the Hundred Years' War, which began in 1337.
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the Priory church with its magnificent door and chapters.
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Farmhouse food and accomodation at the " la Clef des Champs ". Tel : 05.53.95.03.45
(confectionery and jams.)
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Carry on towards Montpezat (2 km). Perched on its promontory, this is the only Bastide of English origin in the Department. It was the last Protestant stronghold in the Agen region to surrender on the accession of Henry IV. The castle was destroyed in 1214 by Simon de Montfort, twice more during the Hundred Years' War and was finally razed during the
Revolution.
Shops. Microlight base - take your first ever flight ! Tel : 05.53.95.08.81
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the church of St. John, a Romanesque structure with a listed choir. Panoramic views over the Lot
Valley.
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fruit and vegetables in season.
M. Seignouret. Tel : 05.53.95.03.31
Display of local products ; demonstrations
Bistrot du Village. Tel : 05.53.87.98.22
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leather working : M. Seve. Tel : 05.53.95.05.12
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Take the D13 towards Laugnac (10.5
km).
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traditional houses, remains of the old castle next to the 12th century Parish Church.
Bar/restaurant.
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Continue on the D13. Take the third road on the right towards the feudal Madaillan Castle
(12 km). A fine example of medieval military architecture with the earliest parts dating back to the 13th century. It was one of the main players in the wars between the French and the English in the 14th and 15th centuries and in the the Wars of Religion in the 16th. It was besieged (unsuccessfully) by the redoubtable Blaise de Monluc. Situated on a rocky promontory, it offers a superb panorama of the surrounding countryside.
Tel : 05.53.87.56.23 ou 06.12.72.97.51
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Take the road back down and then turn right in the direction of Cardonnet until you reach the D107. Turn left and carry on until you hit the RN113. Return to Agen (12
km).
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