Montayral: Castles, the Lot and the Starry Sky

Montayral brings together five castles, the River Lot, astronomy activities and specialities featuring Pruneau d’Agen. This offers different focuses for planning your trip: architectural history, landscapes, stargazing or regional produce. Which themes you focus on depends on what interests you during your stay.

Castles and architectural history

Two of Montayral’s five castles stand on the riverbank. The fortified Moulin de Garrigues dates from the 14th century. It retains cross-shaped arrow slits and an elegant defensive tower above the pointed-arch entrance. These details give the building its own architectural character.

Château de Ladhuie was a fortress in the 12th century. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was transformed into a Renaissance residence with mullioned windows. Château de Montayral was built in the 13th century by the lords of Orgueil. It lies on the road to the airfield and is partly hidden by vegetation.

The chronology therefore runs from Ladhuie’s 12th-century fortress, through the construction of Château de Montayral in the 13th century, to Ladhuie’s transformation in the 15th and 16th centuries. Visiting the buildings offers the chance to take in different periods and architectural features.

The Lot and the landscape

At Montayral, the Lot widens into broad meanders while the valley gradually becomes less deeply incised. Alongside the history of individual buildings, the shape of the river and valley is another distinctive aspect of the landscape. The wide river bends and changing valley offer a different way to experience the area than the specific architectural history of its castles.

Astronomy and a walk

The Observatoire Astronomique GAP 47 offers public astronomy evenings in Lagrolère, Montayral. Activities include guided observations of the sky with the naked eye, a laser-guided exploration of the constellations, telescope observations under domes and a digital planetarium. The programme ranges from observing the sky to digital displays; the constellations are also explored with the aid of a laser.

A free 2.5 km walk along the GR652 starts at the Observatoire Astronomique GAP 47. A scale model of the solar system is displayed along the way. Before making plans, check the current times and booking requirements for guided tours. You should also check the route conditions before setting out.

Flights and flight instruction

Aéro club Vallée du Lot offers introductory and sightseeing flights, as well as daytime and night flights. Flights depend on the weather and the provider’s availability. The club also offers flight instruction for beginners and advanced students and has a ULM flight school. Instruction availability may change. Taking a flight and receiving flight instruction are different ways to explore aviation. Check the current options before making specific plans.

Pruneaux d’Agen and regional products

At Roucadil, you can take a guided tour of the workshops where Ente plums are processed into Pruneaux d’Agen. A tasting is also available afterwards. The boutique offers prune-based specialities and other regional products: Périgord walnuts, hazelnuts from Lot-et-Garonne, almonds from southern France, semi-candied mirabelle plums, chocolate-coated fruit, homemade chocolate, gift baskets, wines and foie gras. Tour arrangements and the selection may change. If you are planning a visit or have specific products in mind, it is best to check the current options in advance.

Discover more destinations: Labretonie, Varès, Fargues-sur-Ourbise, Tonneins, Sos, Saint-Maurin, Saint-Sylvestre-Sur-Lot, Lannes.

Return to the overview of the region: Lot Et Garonne.