Some nice overviews of Lot et Garonne (the county where Jerome grew up and where the wedding will be):
- www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/france/article476250.ece
- www.southofthedordogne.com/
- www.europa47.org/anglais/pageanglais/index.htm
- www.francethisway.com/regions/lot-et-garonne.php
- www.tourisme-lotetgaronne.com/index.php?Langue=UK
Some highlights:
- A pretty medieval town called Monflanquin (www.southofthedordogne.com/townsmonflanquin.php)
- Other medieval fortified towns: www.ot-agen.org/_eng/visite/bastides.htm
- Chateau de Bonaguil (amazing Medieval castle, one of Patrick's favorite attractions): www.casteland.com/puk/castle/aquitaine/lotgar/bonaguil/bonaguil.htm and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Bonaguil
- Nerac (the closest city to Montagnac, and the home of King Henri IV): www.canal-du-midi.org/en/canal/maps/aquitaine/47_lot_et_garonne/nerac.aspx
- Agen (the biggest city in the area): www.ot-agen.org/_eng/default.htm
In the Gers (the neighboring county):
- For an overview: www.tourisme-gers.com/gers-vacances/uk/home.asp
- www.francethisway.com/regions/gascony-france.php
- Auch is the biggest city: www.auch-tourisme.com/uk/
In the surrounding area (north of Montagnac):
- Bordeaux (a 1 day trip in the city sounds ideal): www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/index_uk.html
- Also: wikitravel.org/en/Bordeaux
- And: travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/france/bordeaux/overview.html
- The Bordeaux wine region (1 day trip): gofrance.about.com/od/aquitaineregion/a/wine-tourism.htm
- and www.bordeaux.com/default.aspx?culture=en-US&country=US
- there are several wine routes suggestions here: www.bordeaux.com/Decouvrez-Bordeaux/Route-des-vins.aspx?culture=en-US&country=US.
- If you are going to wine region (which you should!), I would make sure to stop in Saint Emilion, it's a very pretty town (www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/uk/)
- The Bassin d'Arcachon (1 day trip too): www.bassin-arcachon.com/index.php?lg=an
- Cognac (it is north of Bordeaux, so I would make it a 1 day trip too): www.tourism-cognac.com/index_gb.htm
In the surrounding area (south of Montagnac):
- Toulouse (1 day): www.uk.toulouse-tourisme.com/accueil/index_en.php
- Also: wikitravel.org/en/Toulouse
- And: travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/france/languedoc-roussillon/toulouse/overview.html
- Around Toulouse, The Cite de l'espace is pretty fun (especially for kids): http://www.cite-espace.com/en#accueil
- Carcassone is an amazing fortified city near Toulouse (1 day): www.carcassonne.org/carcassonne_EN.nsf/vuetitre/docpgeIntroVisiter
- And: gofrance.about.com/cs/languedoc/a/carcassonne.htm
- Also: travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/france/languedoc-roussillon/carcassonne/overview.html
- French Pays basque in general : www.bearn-basquecountry.com/12-8944-Home.php
- And Biarritz: www.biarritz.fr/Website/site/tourisme_en.php
Restaurants in the area:
- There's plenty of local food restaurants in Nerac: www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants#resultSearch@address=&merge=N%C3%A9rac&sK=1424&sejour=&michelin=false&arrivaldate=&nights=&people=
- And even more in Agen: www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants#resultSearch@address=&merge=47000%20Agen&sK=1424&sejour=&michelin=false&arrivaldate=&nights=&people=
If you want to try some fancy restaurants:
- Mariottat (in Agen, 1 star): www.restaurant-mariottat.com/index-gb.htm
- Auberge du Prieure (Moirax, 1 star): www.aubergeduprieuredemoirax.fr/SITE.html
- L'aubergade (Puymirol, 3 stars, very expensive!!): www.aubergade.com/uk/index.php
- La Table des cordeliers (Condom, 1 star): www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants#description@poi=26423_41102
- www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants is a great source for restaurants, and it is available in English.
Of course, don't hesitate to ask us for suggestions!
