Places to visit
"The Christ on the cross" painting from Rembrandt
Collégiale Saint Vincent du Mas d'Agenais47430 Le Mas d'Agenais
Tél : 05 53 89 50 58
This internationally recognized picture (1631) is part of a series, the rest of which is in the Pinakotech Museum in Munich. Opening of the collegiate church: everyday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 7pm (closing at 5.30pm in winter).
Audio guides are available from the Tourist Office (opposite the collegiate church) from 15 June to 15 September (Tuesday to Sunday) and from the town hall out side of these times (Monday to Friday). Price: 2 €
Saint-Benoît Chapel in Marmande
47200 Marmande
The Chapel of Saint Benoît is a magnificent building in the classical style which was part of the Dames de Saint Benoît Convent founded in 1645 by the Marquise de Grignols. Classified as an historic monument in 2005, the chapel illustrates the two main artistic movements of the twelfth century: the classical and the baroque styles. Do not miss the very rare painted wood ceiling, an exceptional series of paintings from the eighteenth century Toulouse school and a beautifully made baroque altarpiece in multicoloured gilded wood.
The Cloister of Marmande and its garden
Adjoining the southern side of the gothic church, the cloister, of which only two sides remain, has fine sculpted decorative elements in the French renaissance style. According to an epigraph, the group of buildings dates back to 1540. The decorative style is extremely elegant and varied.
The inner courtyard as been maintained as a classical topiary garden since 1950. It was designated a “Jardin Remarquable” (Remarkable Garden) in 2007. The box tree designs were inspired by those in the gardens at the Château de Langeais.
The cloister and its garden are now used to host numerous cultural and heritage events. Opening times: 8am to 8pm in the summer; 8am to 5.30pm in the winter.
L’Eglise Notre-Dame (The Church of Our Lady) .
Beautiful building in the High Gothic style, built during the wars with England in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The huge bell-tower on the north facade was entirely rebuilt after 1672.
Inside, the elevation of the nave is typically gothic with its large arches, triforium (shallow gallery) and high windows.
Notice the baroque altarpiece representing episodes in the life of Saint Benoît, an entombment in the mannerist style, and the Neo-gothic nineteenth century Cavaillé-Coll organ.
Church in Mauvezin sur Gupie
47200 Mauvezin sur Gupie
Tél : 05 53 94 20 11
communedemauvezin.47@wabadoo.fr
http://mauvezinsurgupie.free.fr
A thirteenth century church with a remarkable open structure barrel vault roof, described by Viollet le Duc in his dictionary of architecture. This large church has a “bell wall” overlooking the Gupie valley. Guided visit all year around on booking (+4 people).
The Warf at Tonneins
A unique two kilometre walk through along the old quays. A free itinerary of Tonneins’ heritage sites is available from the Val de Garonne Tourist Office.
The Gardens of the Garonne
Jardinerie Jay - rue des Isserts47200 Marmande
Tél : 05 53 64 30 12
Fax : 05 53 64 13 81
jardinerie.jay@wanadoo.fr
http://www.jardineriejay.com
An area to be savoured, according to your desires, with the passing seasons. During a delightfully coloured walk, discover several gardens full of character, inspired by various regions of the world.
Adults fee: 5.5 € - free up to 10 years’old – groups of more than 10 people by appointment: 4.5 €
Services on the spot: non-alcoholic bar, ice-creams, free kindergarten, garden centre, tree nursery with reception and advice, boutique, access for disabled persons, toilets, car, possibility of guided visits by appointment (groups).
Open all year long from Monday afternoon to Sunday (except on Sundays in July - August - September).
The Flower Plain
Dried flowers
Haute Plaine47400 Gontaud de Nogaret
Tél : 05 53 83 47 90 / 06 77 84 35 44
plantie.michel@wanadoo.fr
http://laplaineauxfleurs.com
The Flower Plain offers an escape in the middle of a flower and and aromatic plant plot of land. During a walk in the alleys, you will discover 70 varieties of flowers, colours and scents palette will make you filled with wonder.
You will go on by a guided visit of the drying shed, workshop and showroom. Sylvette will greet you in her workshop where you will be able to see the creation of a flower composition made of flowers which have all grown in "the Flower Plain".
Opening:
From the 1st of June to the 30th of September: from Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 am and 3 pm to 7 pm, on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 pm to 7 pm.
From the 1st of October to the 31st of May, on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm to 6 pm or on booking.
Prices : 5 € for adults (deductible from your purchases)- free for children
Nature Reserve of Mazière Lake
Maison de la Réserve47400 Villeton
Tél : 05 53 88 02 57
Fax : 05 53 88 02 57
rnmaziere@cegetel.net
Former cutoff of the Garonne, Mazière Nature Reserve is an area of about a hundred hectares, including damp area and fields. This relic area, unique in Aquitaine, has a remarkable fauna and flora. Listed as nature reserve since 1985, the marsh has benefited from an efficient management, in particular in hydraulic and habitats preservation fields, increasing thus its accommodation possibilities thanks to some vegetals restoration such as reedy marsh.
On a permanent base, in the Nature Reserve House: a naturalistic photo exhibition, various aquariums with fish from our watercourses and the lake, a collection of birds nests, a video film on the reserve, interactive cd-roms. Migratory birds ringing period every morning from the 15th of August to the 31st of October. Possibilities of ornithological and ringing trainings, "renewable energies" module (solar power-station).
Paying guided visits (exclusively): 20 € for 1 up to 4 people.
The Reserve receives you all year long by appointment.
The Magical Cauldron
47260 Brugnac
Tél : 05 53 88 80 77
Fax : 05 53 88 91 63
chaudronmagique@wanadoo.fr
http://www.chaudronmagique.fr
Discovery, in the heart of the Lot and Garonne landscapes, of this original farm: the Magical Cauldron.
A 20 hectare property where 30 races of various origin animals live in perfect harmony. Film over our various crafts, in particular the agroecology, discovery of breedings, plants used in dyeing, baker’s oven and mohair creations. There are possibilities of taking part in a goat milking, in the making of a cheese and a loaf of bread. Dyeing demonstration.
Opening: apart from July and August, everyday from 3 pm to 6 pm for private individuals and by appointment all day long for groups - July and August, everyday from 10 am to 7 pm, enjoying a rustic snack between 11 am and 2 pm.
