The best traffic-free bike rides around Valeilles

Former pilgrimage church integrated into a Benedictine priory founded at the end of the 11th century under the authority of the abbey of Aurillac, it is mainly distinguished by the remarkable architecture of its crypt and choir. It is one of the few churches in the region to have a semi-subterranean crypt. Intended to house relics, its presence causes a visible elevation of the transept and choir. Mainly built in the 12th century, the church consists of a main nave flanked by two aisles and a transept topped by a dome on pendentives. The large interior arcades rest on columns adorned with typical Romanesque sculptures depicting mermaids, back-to-back birds, or animals with human heads. The original choir was modified or rebuilt between the 14th and 16th centuries to become larger. On the outside, its facades display a military austerity reminiscent of the defensive roles it played during regional conflicts.

The commune benefits from a natural setting conducive to outdoor activities, particularly thanks to the Voie Verte along the Lot. Local economy: The activity is marked by the cultivation of cereals, plum growing (production of the famous Agen prune) and important nurseries.

This beautiful Voie Verte, created in 2008, 2009 and 2010, connects Villeneuve-sur-Lot to Casseneuil. It follows the path of two old railway lines on the outskirts of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and at the entrance to Casseneuil. Between these two sections, it is a pretty path that was created along the stream of "La Masse".

The architecture of Villeneuve-sur-Lot tells its story as a 13th-century river bastide, built for trade and defense. Its geometric checkerboard plan is organized around a central hub and opens onto the river. The checkerboard plan: Straight streets, typical of medieval bastides. Place Lafayette: Central square bordered by covered arcades (the cornières). The watchtowers: Fortified gates of Paris and Pujols in brick and stone. The Romanesque-Byzantine style: Used for the Sainte-Catherine church with its 55-meter high bell tower. The half-timbered facades: Medieval houses with timber framing and overhangs. The Pont des Cieutat: 13th-century structure with asymmetrical stone arches.

The Saint-Sylvestre Church depends on the Saint-Jacques-en-Vallée-du-Lot community, attached to the diocese of Agen. The current village church was built between 1863 and 1865. It houses, among other things, a beautiful 14th-century polychrome wooden statue representing Saint Peter.

The medieval alleys of Penne-d'Agenais, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, form a true paved labyrinth that climbs the hillside for nearly 200 meters in altitude to overlook the superb Lot valley. This fortified town, often compared to a small Tuscan village due to its ochre-colored facades, warm stones, and gentle way of life, offers a real dive into medieval history.

The medieval alleys of Penne-d'Agenais, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, form a veritable paved labyrinth that climbs the hillside for nearly 200 meters in altitude to overlook the superb Lot valley. This fortified town, often compared to a small Tuscan village due to its ochre-colored facades, warm stones, and gentle way of life, offers a true dive into medieval history.

Tournon-d'Agenais is a magnificent royal bastide from the 13th century, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. The site first served as a Celtic oppidum and then as a Gallo-Roman trading post. A first inhabited center developed in the 12th century. The foundation (1271): The royal bastide was officially founded by Philip III the Bold (son of Saint Louis), continuing the work of Alphonse de Poitiers. Located on the border of French and English spheres of influence, it suffered heavy assaults during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion.