Villeneuve-sur-Lot

Villeneuve-sur-Lot is a bastide town founded in the 13th century by Alphonse of Poitiers, set along the River Lot in the Lot-et-Garonne department of south-west France. The historic centre is split into two districts, Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Étienne, linked by the Pont Vieux, also known as the Pont des Cieutats, one of the few remaining medieval fortified bridges in France. The town retains a covered market hall and a traditional market offering local produce, notably Agen prunes, strawberries and tomatoes, all typical of this farming region. Nearby, several villages and bastides are worth a visit, including Pujols, a medieval hilltop village just a short drive away, as well as Monflanquin and Villeréal, other well-known bastides of the Lot-et-Garonne. The River Lot itself allows for outdoor pursuits such as walking, fishing and boating along its navigable stretches. The mild, moderately humid Aquitaine climate supports a long tourist season from spring through autumn. Villeneuve-sur-Lot therefore serves as a convenient base for exploring the bastide heritage and the orchards and vineyards of the surrounding countryside.