The Lot-et-Garonne geography is dotted with rolling hills with vineyards, farms and prune orchards, a speciality in this region. This area also produces marmalade tomatoes, courgettes, green beans, strawberries, asparagus, melons and plenty more crops. Similar to the Perigord region, Lot-et-Garonne is known for a variety of wines, including Duras and Buzet. Armagnac, a type of brandy, is also made here. Foie gras is a gastronomic staple in this region as well as confits de canard and magrets de canard or duck breast and duck leg.
Lot-et-Garonne isn’t entirely on the tourist map so many people aren’t familiar with this department, but many expats call Lot-et-Garonne home.
Main cities in Lot-et-Garonne
- The biggest city, Agen, has a population of around 33,000 and is the capital of this French region. Agen is a pretty city with medieval architecture and wide streets–worth a visit if you want to experience a typical French town rather than a touristy spot. Plus, the Cathedral Saint Caprais is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you're an art aficionado, make sure to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, where you’ll find a collection of around 3,000 pieces, including famous artists such as Goya, Corot and Tintoretto.
- Villeneuve-sur-Lot is another small city with a population under 30,000 where you’ll find many expats choose to call home. Nestled along the Lot River, this beautiful French town offers everything you want- restaurants, bars, supermarkets and local shops- to have what you need at your fingertips while enjoying a relaxing lifestyle.
With access to train stations, if you’re based in this region, it’s easy and quick to hop on the high-speed train to reach Bordeaux or Toulouse within a few hours.
Main attractions abound in the Lot-et-Garonne department.
Here are some places you don’t want to miss.
- If you like tiny villages, make sure to visit the walled town of Pujols perched on a limestone plateau and offers beautiful vistas of two valleys, The Lot and Masse. Love toys? Stop in a toy museum Maison du Jouet Rustique to view a collection of games and toys from various cultures and decades. This village fills up in summer when tourists wander through with cameras in hand and stop to fill up their bellies at one of the restaurants.
- Love medieval villages? Then visit the Penne d’ Agenais offering up some incredible panoramic views of the Lot Valley. Stroll the cobblestoned streets or grab a discovery map from the local tourist office for a longer meander exploring this area. Or head to the sanctuary, the Notre-Dame-de-Peyragude, with silver domes for spectacular views and walk inside to admire the stained glass.
Cost of living
Living in Lot-et-Garonne invites a calmer and more relaxed lifestyle. The cost of living in Lot-et Garonne is relatively inexpensive; of course, this depends on what cities and countries you’re comparing it to. In general, the cost of living in Lot-et- Garonne is more affordable and less expensive than in many cities and towns in the United Kingdom and countries in Northern Europe.
Prices for buying a home are influenced by if it’s in a more rural or urban setting. Prices typically start around €90,000 and can be as high as €200,000 for a home. The average is considered to be around €170,000. Though, the bigger and fancier the house, as well as if it’s been renovated, will increase the price.
If you choose to rent instead of buy, rent tends to be more affordable than in the UK, and the same is true for utilities and food. Throughout France, part of the culture is knowing where your food comes from and eating in season, where it’s typical to purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables from a local farmer at the weekly markets, as well as visiting the bakery daily or weekly for bread and purchasing meat at the butchers.
Although this region isn’t on most tourists' radar, many British expats like living in Lot-et-Garonne. It’s common to hear English on the streets, and sometimes is considered an unofficial second language. Job opportunities may not be abundant in small towns, so having a job you can do virtually is a great option. Some expats have chosen to open restaurants or renovate old chateaus into Bed & Breakfasts. Learning French is an essential step for assimilating into living in Lot-et-Garonne and having more opportunities for work as well as making French friends.
Figuring out the best places to live in Lot-et-Garonne comes down to knowing your needs, goals, the type of lifestyle you want to have in France, as well as your budget. Obtaining French residency is important and also a factor to consider. Once you’ve narrowed down what you want, deciding where to live in this fairytale region will be easy.
Weather in Lot-et-Garonne
Lot-et-Garonne has a relatively mild climate annually, thanks to the close proximity to the Atlantic coast to the west. Many people like living in Lot-et-Garonne year-round, and it’s no surprise why. Summer does get hot, with average temperatures ranging from 24C in May to 28C in August. Though summer weather does get plenty of humidity, so the temperature may feel hotter than the thermometer says. When it gets too hot, there are often summer storms, providing relief with cooler air and temperatures. However, there have been record highs during the summer months, with averages hitting 37- 39C, so be prepared for some uncomfortable hot days.
Winter does get cold, and you’re likely to experience several days of frost. Winter days can be gloomy and overcast, and the Garonne valley often has lots of fog. The good news is in winter, temperatures usually don’t go below zero and typically range around 2 C to 15 C. This region is considered to have approximately 109 days of rain a year or around 29% annually.
Spring weather often comes early and brings pleasant temperatures, with rain typically being more frequent in May than in March. The rain is needed, though and provides this ample agricultural land with the necessary water for the crops to grow. Fall weather brings beautiful colours and can be a prime time to go for nature walks and hikes, thanks to the cooler weather.
History and culture
This land has been governed by many groups of people and, for several centuries, went back and forth between French and English rule. Its location with the two rivers has made it a prime spot throughout the centuries, providing water and a way to transport goods.
After the French revolution, Lot-et-Garonne became one of the 83 departments formed on March 4, 1790. Before this date, the region's borders differed; They combined parts of the Guyenne and Gascony regions to create Lot-et-Garonne. In 1808, there was a modification to this department– removing the southeastern part to create what is now known as Tarn-et-Garonne. Lot-et-Garonne is divided within itself into five areas: Agenais, Albret, Pays du Dropt, Val de Garonne or Gascogne and Lot Valley.
French cultural traditions are honoured today and can be observed and experienced daily while living in Lot-et-Garonne. The French continue to buy bread at their neighbourhood boulangerie, purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables from the farmer and often buy what they need for their meals each day. Although shopping at several places instead of a supermarket takes more time, not only is it a way to ensure freshness and seasonality, it builds community by knowing the very people who make or provide your food. Plus, buying directly from local businesses, artisans, and farmers is essential for traditions to continue, maintaining important aspects of French culture.