Summary
On both banks of its namesake river, Villeneuve-sur-Lot originated as a medieval bastide town, established rapidly and fortified in the 13th century under the directives of Alphonse de Poitiers. Much of this heritage persists in its historical features: visitors can admire the town gates, the ancient stone bridge, and the central Place de Lafayette, characterized by its typical bastide arcades.
Pujols, a charming hilltop village, is accessible on foot from Villeneuve and is just one among many exceptional excursions in proximity to the city. Furthermore, this region is renowned for its prunes, derived from the esteemed Ente plum, cultivated and dried on local farms along the Lot River.
Let us explore the best attractions in Villeneuve-sur-Lot:
1. Musée de Gajac
Housed in an elegant venue within an ancient watermill by the Lot, the Musée de Gajac is dedicated to French art ranging from the 18th to the 20th century. The mill has a history dating back to 1186, originally established by the Benedictine abbey at Eysses to grind flour for the monks. Later, it underwent a Neoclassical transformation and produced hydroelectricity for a period during the 20th century. Noteworthy pieces include prints by Piranesi, alongside paintings by prominent artists such as Hippolyte Flandrin, the pioneering impressionist Eva Gonzalès, modern artist Roland Bierge, and Baroque painter Antoine Coypel.
2. Pont des Cieutats
This bridge provides a picturesque view of the city, linking the two sections of the old bastide. Beautiful tall houses, some half-timbered and others with stone façades, line both sides, descending directly to the water or grassy banks. The bridge itself, adorned with cast iron railings and gaslights, dates back to the 13th century, developed during a time when the city was under English rule and has undergone various alterations due to wars and floods over the centuries. The bridge’s name commemorates the 16th-century mayor, Nicolas Ceutats, and his son Arnaud, who defended the city against Marguerite de France’s forces in 1585.
3. Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-et-de-Toute-Joie
Legend has it that in the 13th century, a flotilla was making its way under the Pont des Cieutats when it mysteriously halted in the water. A person reached into the river and retrieved a statuette of the Virgin Mary, allowing them to continue their journey. This event is commemorated by the charming Gothic chapel, established in 1289, which shares a similarly eventful history marked by numerous storms and floods through the years. A stained-glass window from the 19th century illustrates the event, depicting the Pont des Cieutats as it once appeared, complete with defensive towers.
4. Porte de Pujols
Overseeing the southern entrance to the old city on the left bank of the Lot, this gate was constructed toward the end of the 14th century. Together with the Porte de Paris, it represents the remnants of Villeneuve-sur-Lot’s medieval fortifications. The lower sections above the portal are crafted from stone, transitioning to a red-brick watchtower with corner quoins. This upper portion is robustly fortified, boasting crenellations topped by a triangular roof, while a clock, added in the 1800s, resides just beneath the machicolations.
5. Porte de Paris
Similar to the Porte de Pujols, the northern Porte de Paris is also a historic monument, serving as both a gateway and watchtower. Its design closely mirrors that of its southern counterpart, albeit with a narrow cupola and campanile housing a bell added in 1828. The lowest level once functioned as a guard room, leading to a prison located just beneath the battlements. The Porte de Paris witnessed fierce confrontations during the Fronde Civil War in 1653, as it was besieged by troops under Cardinal Mazarin.
6. Place Lafayette
Serving as the center of life in Villeneuve, much as it did during the Bastide era, Place Lafayette is an inviting arcaded square featuring a fountain at its heart. The atmosphere varies considerably throughout the week; on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, it bustles with the activity of a vibrant fruit and vegetable market, while on leisurely summer evenings, young people gather at surrounding cafés and bars. As you enjoy a coffee or aperitif, take in the diverse architecture, including rustic timber-framed houses and a Belle Époque mansion on the north side adorned with delicate iron balconies.
7. Pujols
Pujols, recognized as one of France’s most beautiful villages, is virtually a suburb of Villeneuve, located just a short walk away. The ascent is somewhat challenging, taking approximately half an hour, but the destination rewards visitors with magnificent views of Villeneuve and the Lot Valley. Despite its small size, Pujols is rich in medieval charm, featuring an archway under the fortified Church of Saint-Nicolas, frescoes in the Church of Sainte-Foy, a covered marketplace, and remnants of a 13th-century castle.
8. Église Sainte-Catherine
As the city’s largest church began to deteriorate in the 1800s, Villeneuve native Gaston Rapin proposed an innovative design. His Neo-Romanesque and Byzantine plan utilized red brick reinforced with cement and metal, with construction commencing in 1889. Although work was interrupted by the First World War, it concluded in the 1920s. The church features sculpted capitals and luminous paintings from the choir dating back to the 1930s, as well as original stained glass windows depicting the Passion and martyrdom of St. Catherine from the 15th and 16th centuries.
9. Pont de la Libération
Understanding the significance of the city’s main bridge requires considering the perspective of Villeneuve’s residents in the 1910s. Completed in 1919 and designed by Eugène Freyssinet, a pioneer in reinforced concrete architecture, this bridge set records as the largest single-span concrete bridge globally upon its completion, measuring just over 100 meters in span. Recently, it has received recognition as part of France’s “20th-century Heritage.”
10. Site Antique d’Eysses
Located approximately one kilometer north of the town center, the Eysses district features an archaeological site adjacent to a Gallo-Roman tower. This tower, which stands at ten meters, has been designated a French Historic Monument. While most remaining features comprise foundations, informative boards offer insights into the settlement that existed up to the 3rd century. This site was substantial, encompassing 50 hectares and featuring military camps, temples, and a vast sanctuary. Visitors can also explore the nearby Church of Saint-Sernin, which displays many artifacts recovered from the site, including an amphora adorned with a snake motif.
11. Musée et Ferme du Pruneau
This gastronomic attraction is conveniently reachable within 20 minutes, providing extensive insights into the region’s culinary culture. Prunes play a significant role in the local economy, highlighted by the city of Agen’s grand festival dedicated to this unpretentious dried fruit. The museum is situated on a plum farm by the Lot and showcases vintage tools and methods for cultivating and drying prunes in a recreated 19th-century workshop featuring authentic ovens. Additionally, a 20-minute film presents the orchards through various seasons—from blooming to harvest—illustrating the traditional artisanal techniques used in prune preparation. A shop at the conclusion sells delectable items, including chocolate-covered prunes, prune brandy, and plum blossom honey.
12. Monflanquin
Just a 15-minute drive north will take you to Monflanquin, an idyllic example of a Bastide town. Unlike Villeneuve’s center, which has seen some redevelopment, Monflanquin retains a nearly entirely preserved historical charm. Visitors can observe the characteristic Bastide grid layout filled with medieval houses, excellent for exploration on foot, and can venture to the top of the town for breathtaking views of the Lède Valley. The Maison de la Prince Noir, located at Places des Arcades, boasts stunning lancet windows and is named after Edward Woodstock (The Black Prince), who likely stayed here during the 1350s amidst the Hundred Years’ War.
13. Mercredis de la Cale
In its second decade, the Mercredis de la Cale program features live concerts on Wednesday nights throughout July and August at Cale de la Marine, adjacent to the Pont Basterou. These performances are free and greatly appreciated by locals, with seating terraces lined along the riverbank. While attendees should not expect internationally recognized artists—many performers are relatively unknown beyond southwestern France—the diverse lineup encompasses various genres such as jazz, blues, rock, soul, country, and world music, catering to different tastes.
14. Lot River Cruises
From late June to early September, two cruise boats operate on the Lot River, departing from the Cale de la Marine in Villeneuve. The smaller vessel offers open-air hour-long excursions along the river, bordered by scenic woods and quaint plum orchards, providing a complimentary local beverage during the trip. Additionally, a larger, 115-seat boat operates biweekly, offering 90-minute journeys with informative commentary. Visitors can also partake in an extended lunch cruise or explore the Prune Museum and an excellent fresh produce market in Fongrave.
15. Château de Gavaudun
Not a lavish palace, but rather a formidable medieval stronghold, Château de Gavaudun rises more than 70 meters from its rocky vantage point. Constructed in the 1100s, it was strategically built to control the route from Périgord to l’Agenais and subsequently became a significant target during the English-French conflicts throughout the Hundred Years’ War. The castle remains in a state of semi-ruin yet offers appealing features such as an entryway through a natural cave, rooms adorned with tapestries and wood paneling, a treasure hunt for youngsters, and commanding views from the impressive tower.
