Lot-et-Garonne Family  Holidays

Drive your own cruise boat

The Lot is navigable for around 150km, mostly through the departments of Lot and Lot-et-Garonne.  Hire a self-drive river cruiser from Bouzies, east of Cahors – no experience necessary and full tuition given – to enjoy playing admiral for a few hours.   There’s no nicer way to get close to the wildlife along the river and soak up the atmosphere of historic villages such as St Cirq-Lapopie, voted favourite village in France by the French.   Or take a guided river excursion with commentary to learn about the history and traditions of the area.

Messages from the past

One of the Lot Valley’s most unusual – and moving – visitor attractions is the cave complex of Pech Merle, near to the confluence of the Lot and Celé rivers.   Just imagine the children whose prehistoric footprints have been fossilised in the solidified mud of the cave floor and the artists who created coloured handprints on the walls – spine-tingling stuff for all ages!   Further east in the architectural gem that is Figeac, learn about the history of written communications at the Champollion Museum, housed in the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion – the first person to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics from engravings on the Rosetta Stone.

Family fun in the great outdoors

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can enjoy getting close to nature in a landscape that varies from riverside trails to rugged hills, cool forests to rolling farmland.   Look out for the traffic-free Voies Vertes or Green Lanes, and the quiet Véloroute bike routes.  Tourist Offices stock maps, outdoor guides, and details of bike hire centres.    Try some family fishing in the lakes at Golinhac and Castelnau-Lassout, as well as along the Lot and its tributaries, or hire canoes or kayaks.   A number of multi-activity centres also offer mountain biking, climbing and canyoning.

Have fun at a Festival

Fire-eating, archery and medieval warfare aren’t the only activities to be found at festivals in the Lot Valley.   Every year in late May, people come from all over France to watch herds of honey-coloured cattle parade through the tiny village of Aubrac as they make their way to the flower-strewn summer pastures of the high plateau.   Expect cows with decorated holly trees on their heads; displays of local agriculture and crafts; and much music, merrymaking, and moo-ing!   Flocks of sheep are also walked from the Lot Valley onto the mountain meadows of Cantal in early June.

Plus… Mills in the Lot-et-Garonne

As one might expect given the many rivers and canals  in this area the Lot-et-Garonne is covered with many fine examples of water mills.  There are also a considerable number of windmills.  There is a useful website with details of the mills worth visiting.

Weather and Practical Tips

• Weather: Lot-et-Garonne enjoys a mild climate, with warm summers perfect for outdoor adventures and mild springs and autumns ideal for sightseeing. Winters are generally gentle, though mornings can be crisp.
• Getting Around: A car is the best way to explore this rural region, as public transport is limited outside main towns. Scenic country roads link charming villages, markets and river valleys, making self-drive holidays convenient for families.
• Best Time to Visit: May to June and September are wonderful for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. July and August are lively, with festivals and markets, but can be hot and busy.
• Tips for Families:– Babies and toddlers will enjoy shaded parks, buggy-friendly paths and riverside picnics. Teens can try cycling, canoeing or exploring medieval castles. Seniors will appreciate relaxed gardens, vineyard tours and gentle village walks. Many gîtes and campsites welcome pets, and there are plenty of pet-friendly trails and outdoor cafés.

Lot-et-Garonne offers something truly special for families seeking a mix of tranquility, adventure and cultural richness. Whether you’re gently paddling along the Lot River, exploring medieval bastides and castles, sampling farm-fresh produce at vibrant markets, or simply enjoying long lazy meals in the shade, this region moves at just the right pace for all ages.

Babies will delight in quiet mornings, toddlers in safe outdoor play, teens in canoes and forest trails, and seniors in gardens, heritage sites and unhurried village life. Even your four-legged friend will find trails to sniff, riverbanks to splash, and scents of orchards and wildflowers to follow. With pet-friendly accommodation, welcoming hosts, and enough variety from food to festivities, Lot-et-Garonne isn’t just a place to visit — it’s one to savour and remember. So pack your bags, bring your sense of curiosity, and let the rhythms of south-western France create lasting family memories.