Renowned for its gentle lifestyle and varied landscapes, the department of Tarn-et-Garonne is the ideal destination for authentic holidays under the sun. Crossed by three major rivers, the Garonne, the Tarn and the Aveyron, the department of Tarn-et-Garonne is a real invitation to outdoor activities, with family or friends. Rich of an exceptional natural heritage as well as a remarkable built heritage, this department at the same time cultural, green and undeniably greedy can be visited without moderation.
Start your visit of the Tarn-et-Garonne with the city of Montauban : with its pink brick buildings and its magnificent mansions, this city of Art and History is famous for its gentle lifestyle and its cultural influence. Take the time to sip some refreshments on Place Nationale before taking the Old Bridge and its 7 arches that span both banks of the Tarn, or to visit the Ingres museum. The latter houses remarkable art collections created by the painter from the city as well as sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle, also a native of Montauban. Located in the former episcopal palace, it is one of the most beautiful museums in the department.
Then take the direction of Moissac which will amaze you with its abbey classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site : a masterpiece of Romanesque art, the abbey church of Saint Pierre and its cloister are a major step on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy parentheses on the shady banks of the Tarn, take the cycle paths along the canal and Garonne and don't miss the Chasselas AOC grapes which have made Moissac's reputation among epicureans for many years. Enjoy it with a touch of saffron, a slice of Gascon black pork ham, foie gras, duck and strawberries : enough to conquer the hearts of all gourmets.
Lauzerte, a bastide listed among the "Most beautiful villages in France", is also one of the most beautiful sites in Tarn-et-Garonne. In the hills of Gascony, this pretty village is made up of streets bordered by countless half-timbered and half-timbered houses built between the 16th and 19th centuries. As out of time, the perched village of Lauzerte offers, in addition to its magnificent architecture, sumptuous panoramas on the valleys of Quercy Blanc.
How to evoke Tarn-et-Garonne without speaking of its medieval cities full of character ? Bruniquel, first of all, is a must visit. Dominated by its two castles, this medieval city is one of the "Most beautiful villages in France". Architectural jewel inviting to stroll, you will love to walk in its maze of old paved alleys, to discover the stone houses of the XIVth century with elaborate facades, recognizable by their mullioned windows. We advise you to visit the "Maison Payol", the former house of the governors of Bruniquel, which today houses a sumptuous Renaissance ceiling and 13th century wall paintings. After this visit, take the direction of the top of the village to admire the two castles perched above the meanders of Aveyron, as well as the impregnable panorama on the valley of the same name. To perfect your knowledge of the local medieval heritage, take the direction of the town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, nestled at the confluence of the Bonnette and the Aveyron : adored for its typical market, this peaceful village is a must stop for anyone wishing to discover the wonders of the Tarn-et-Garonne. Its promenade des Moines, its staircase bordering the Aveyron, its halls, its old residences, its belfry and its town hall give it a very particular charm. Finally, nestled on the borders of Rouergue and Quercy, the city of Caylus, with its house of the wolves, its fortified church, its ancient buildings and the tower of its royal castle is not to be missed.
Added to its many built assets is its legendary campaign. Both peaceful and gentle, the Tarn-et-Garonnaise countryside invites you to contemplate : thanks to numerous hiking routes, you can discover all the beauty of the small villages of the department, whether your stroll is hiking, horse riding or cycling. You will discover during your excursions the numerous dovecotes which dot the local landscape : symbols of the rural departmental heritage, they are of polygonal, square, round or rectangular shape, and testified formerly of the wealth of their owners. Intended for the breeding of pigeons for their meat, they are today one of the most popular vestiges of the department.
Nature lovers will be able to enjoy the beauty of several remarkably preserved natural sites : the Gorges de l'Aveyron first of all, to the east, are one of the most visited sites in the department. These immense gorges dug in the heart of limestone cliffs make the happiness of the amateurs of strong sensations and nautical activities. If canoeing is the sport most practiced on the calm and crystalline torrents of the river, know that you can also climb, hang gliding, canyoning, rafting, mountain biking, caving and hiking : between Bruniquel and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, there are more than 15 kilometers of trails that will offer to you in a green setting, for the greatest happiness of outdoor activities enthusiasts. The Agre Forest (or Montech Forest) is the second natural site not to be missed : at the gates of Montauban, this Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic and Floral Interest which spreads over more than a thousand hectares is the scene of a multitude of family excursions, hikes and afternoons intended for the practice of tree climbing. Finally, the Bonnette Valley will be the ideal place to observe animals in their natural environment, from deer to grey heron, including kingfishers and squirrels.
