Discover Villeneuve-Sur-Lot: Bastide, Museums and the Lot

Travel interests in Villeneuve-sur-Lot

If you are considering Villeneuve-sur-Lot as a destination, you will find a range of interests here: the history of the bastide, archaeological remains, art collections and activities on the Lot. Cycling and walking are also options to consider when planning your trip.

Routes and getting around

The Voie Verte en Villeneuvois connects Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Bias, Le Lédat and Casseneuil along a route of almost nine kilometres. This intercommunal route is for cycling and walking. You can therefore combine a trip to Villeneuve-sur-Lot with a route that links several of the municipalities mentioned.

The Maison de la Mobilité provides information about the Elios urban transport network, which is completely free of charge. Train tickets and bus tickets to Agen, Marmande and Fumel are also sold there. For a cultural route, the Archistoire mobile app offers “Villeneuve-sur-Lot: une bastide de rivière.” This gives you several different options: a cycling and walking route, information about the urban network and a mobile cultural offering.

Bastide and historic buildings

The river bastide of Villeneuve-sur-Lot has stone and brick fortifications, with gates and towers dating from after 1313. The tourist office offers guided tours of the bastide for groups of more than ten people. The tours introduce visitors to churches and chapels, towers and half-timbered houses. Group size is an important consideration if you are thinking of including a tour in your stay.

The Chapelle des Pénitents blancs is another notable site for anyone interested in architecture and heritage. It was listed as a historic monument in 1994 and classified, along with its furnishings, in 2014. Following interior restoration work completed at the end of February 2020, the chapel reopened to the public.

Archaeology and museum visits

At the Excisum archaeological site, the remains of a sanctuary are visible; it is considered one of the ten largest in Gaul. Among the visible remains is a section of the surrounding wall, standing up to ten metres high. The Excisum archaeological museum has its own admission arrangements: school classes and groups can visit and/or take part in workshops year-round by appointment. The museum is open to the general public during all school holidays except the December holidays, as well as during the summer season until the end of September. Since these opening periods vary, it is advisable to check the current schedule before your visit.

Since 2001, the Musée de Gajac has been located on the banks of the Lot, on the site of a former mill. Its collections include prehistoric, Gallo-Roman and medieval works, as well as modern and contemporary art. They also encompass religious art, ceramics, prints, sculpture, and local and regional history. The museum also permanently displays an exceptional series of prints of Rome by Jean Baptiste Piranèse. The collections thus range from early historical objects to art and regional history.

Activities on the Lot and creative offerings

The Site de Rogé is a popular recreational spot on the banks of the Lot and is open year-round. In July and August, the Canoë-kayak club de Villeneuve-sur-Lot offers visitors the chance to explore the Lot from the Cale de la Marine. The timing is important when planning your trip: the club's offering is limited to these two summer months, while the Site de Rogé is open year-round.

If you are also interested in making art yourself, the Atelier galerie d'artiste Corinne Vilcaz offers watercolour and oil painting classes, as well as painting workshops, throughout the year. Alongside sightseeing and activities on the river, you can also consider including creative offerings in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Boé, Bourgougnague, Parranquet, Monteton, Leyritz-Moncassin, Villeréal, Laroque-Timbaut, Monflanquin.

For the broader travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.