The best traffic-free bike rides around Monsempron-Libos

The Voie verte et véloroute de la Vallée du Lot (V86) is a major, safe cycling route stretching for approximately 430 to 480 km, connecting La Canourgue in Lozère to Aiguillon in Lot-et-Garonne. The route follows the meanders of the Lot river through varied landscapes of limestone cliffs, vineyards, orchards, and causses.

The greatest paradox of Bonaguil is that it appeared totally obsolete as soon as it was completed (at a time when kings were building the peaceful châteaux of the Loire). Situated away from the main strategic routes, it was never attacked or besieged, which explains why it has come down to us almost intact. A war machine... that never served!

The village was born in the 18th century at the will of the Marquis de Biron. It is located just a few minutes' drive from the famous Château de Biron (located in Dordogne), a major "stone giant" of the region, as well as the Château de Gavaudun.

Crowning a 40-meter-high rocky spur, this 11th-century castle was once a stronghold of heretics and later a key bastion of the Hundred Years' War. It stands out for its unusual rock-hewn entrance and its intact 6-story, 70-meter-high keep, offering an exceptional panorama. The history of Gavaudun Castle spans nearly a millennium, marked by heresies, major medieval sieges, and strategic alliances between Périgord and Agenais.

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.

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.