The best road cycling routes around Castella

Former medieval stronghold, the village is officially labeled among The Most Beautiful Villages of France. Stone, brick, and half-timbered facades surround the market hall and the central square. The village is home to the Collegiate Church of Saint-Nicolas, whose tower-belfry serves as a fortified entrance gate to the town, as well as the Church of Sainte-Foy, adorned with remarkable 16th-century frescoes. Sections of ramparts and the old gates bear witness to its military past as an Albigensian stronghold.

Former medieval stronghold, the town is officially labeled among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. The stone, brick, and half-timbered facades surround the market hall and the central square. The village houses the Collégiale Saint-Nicolas, whose tower-steeple serves as a fortified entrance gate to the town, as well as the Sainte-Foy church, adorned with remarkable 16th-century frescoes. Sections of ramparts and the old gates bear witness to its military past as an Albigensian stronghold.

Former medieval stronghold, the village is officially labeled among The Most Beautiful Villages of France. Facades of stone, brick, and timber-frame surround the market hall and the central square. The village houses the Collegiate Church of Saint-Nicolas, whose tower-belfry serves as a fortified entrance gate to the town, as well as the Church of Sainte-Foy, adorned with remarkable 16th-century frescoes. Sections of ramparts and old gates bear witness to its military past as an Albigensian stronghold.

A former medieval stronghold, the village is officially labeled among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Stone, brick, and half-timbered facades surround the market hall and the central square. The village houses the Collegiate Church of Saint-Nicolas, whose tower-belfry serves as a fortified gateway to the town, as well as the Church of Sainte-Foy, adorned with remarkable 16th-century frescoes. Sections of ramparts and old gates bear witness to its past as an Albigensian stronghold.

The architecture of Villeneuve-sur-Lot tells its story as a 13th-century river bastide, built for trade and defense. Its geometric checkerboard plan is organized around a central hub and opens onto the river. The checkerboard plan: Straight streets, typical of medieval bastides. Place Lafayette: Central square bordered by covered arcades (the cornières). The watchtowers: Fortified gates of Paris and Pujols in brick and stone. The Romanesque-Byzantine style: Used for the Sainte-Catherine church with its 55-meter high bell tower. The half-timbered facades: Medieval houses with timber framing and overhangs. The Pont des Cieutat: 13th-century structure with asymmetrical stone arches.

A very pleasant flat route ending with a challenge: the climb to Hautefage, a very good exercise.

Construction of the Agen canal bridge was almost halted permanently due to competition from waterways and the railway. Its history is, of course, closely linked to that of the entire Canal Lateral. On August 25, 1839, the foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Orléans, eldest son of Louis-Philippe, and Princess Helene of Mecklenburg, his wife. In 1841, work was halted. The bridge would be used for a time by farmers' carts to avoid a detour via the old stone bridge. On May 5, 1846, a law mandated the resumption of work, and the bridge was completed in 1847. But that wasn't the end of the worries. This bridge could perhaps have become a railway bridge: In 1850, those who exclusively supported the railway raised the question of filling in the canal cut (in its entirety) to lay the tracks. It wasn't until March 1856 that the entire Garonne lateral canal was completed. This bridge itself is 539 meters long, 12.48 meters wide, 2.70 meters deep, and has 23 arches. The waterway is 8.80 meters wide, which prevents crossings. Holding basins were built on either side of the aqueduct. The civil engineers Jean-Baptiste de Baudre and Jean Gratien de Job were responsible for its construction. It is made entirely of freestone from Quercy.

Perched on a rocky promontory, the village of Pujols is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France." It overlooks the Lot and Mail valleys. Its medieval streets, stronghold, and imposing fortifications make this a charming place for a stroll.