Tour of the Lot et Garonne, Bastides and castles

This self-guided loop tour explores the Lot-et-Garonne, starting and ending in Agen, "capital of the prune." Riders follow the Canal de Garonne greenway through the Buzet vineyards before joining the Lot valley at Aiguillon, cycling through orchards and medieval bastides including Pujols, Casseneuil and Sainte-Livrade.

The route continues past the clifftop village of Penne d'Agenais to Fumel, with a detour to the fortified Château de Bonaguil, then briefly crosses into the Lot department near the Cahors vineyards and Puy-l'Évêque. A final loop through the bastide towns of Montaigu-de-Quercy, Puymirol and Beauville brings riders back through the Séoune valley to Agen.

Overnights are in a mix of 2, 3 and 4-star hotels and B&Bs, with the region's gastronomy, including foie gras, prunes and Cahors Malbec, featuring throughout.

Highlights

• Canal de Garonne greenway and the Buzet vineyards
• Bastide towns and villages of Pujols, Casseneuil and Sainte-Livrade
• Clifftop village of Penne d'Agenais
• Fortified Château de Bonaguil
• Cahors vineyards and the medieval hilltop town of Puy-l'Évêque
• Séoune valley bastides, including Puymirol and Beauville

Surface and terrain:
Mostly flat, shaded valley roads and greenways, with one hillier day (Fumel to Tournon d'Agenais, 250m). No major climbs.

Suitable for: Riders wanting a relaxed, self-guided loop through rural countryside, orchards and bastide villages.