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The Lot-et-Garonne lies immediately south of the Dordogne, apx.
ninety minutes from the
Atlantic coast and a little over two hours from the Spanish
border.
Because it carries two of France's
principal rivers, Le Lot and La Garonne, the landscape
is beautifully verdant and incredibly varied.
Broad, fertile valleys wind past picturesque
ranges of hills with the two rivers meeting at Aiguillon, just to the south
of us.
The economy of the Lot-et-Garonne is
heavily reliant on agriculture, with tourism still in its relative infancy.
Consequently the roads are very quiet and, unlike the Dordogne and Provence, few places are crowded even in the height of summer.
You will see growing in abundance, vines, maize, all
kinds of fruit, fields of sunflowers, vegetables
and many varieties of trees. This is also the
centre of the French prune industry. Of course, with the
agriculture comes the wildlife; you will find many birds of prey
here (look out for magnificent Kites (both Red and Black) riding the thermals high
above).
Our summers are significantly warmer and sunnier than further north,
with long settled spells. Rain is not usually a problem as, when it
does come, it tends to be very heavy and of short duration.
The Lot-et-Garonne is France as most people imagine France to be.
Warm, verdant, colourful,
picturesque,
historic, and very peaceful. With just
305,000 people in a Department of almost 6,000 sq. kms, the
Lot-et-Garonne has one of the lowest population densities in all
France. It also has some of the best wine, the most beautiful
scenery, and the loveliest and friendliest of people. as you will
now see.... |