ネラック周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ20

Very pleasant and shady and not too crowded.

The history of the former royal warren is deeply linked to the family of Henry IV, but its legacy dates back to Antiquity. During the Gallo-Roman period, in the 4th or 5th century, a villa stood on the banks of the Baïse River. Excavations conducted in 1832 uncovered numerous mosaics, attesting to the building's presence. Between these two periods, the park underwent numerous developments. At the beginning of the 16th century, Henry I of Albret acquired the land to create a warren and a garden at the foot of the château, accessible only to the royal family. When Henry IV and his wife, Marguerite de Valois, inherited the site, they created the current promenade, known as the "3,000 paces," which runs along the Baïse. But the Wars of Religion and the numerous floods of the river after the king's death would permanently damage the historical and natural heritage. Damaged by the numerous floods of the Baïse in 1909, the park became the first listed site in the Aquitaine region, which enabled the funding of work to ensure its preservation. In 2020, this classification was extended to the other bank, where the Bains du Roy are located.

The village of Damazan has retained all its charm with its central square and half-timbered houses. It's the perfect place to park your bike, enjoy a coffee in the shade, and soak up the atmosphere of the southwest.

Very pleasant route, mostly asphalted in the shade and at the water's edge of course. However, the Lot-et-Garonne part of this route is more bumpy, the roots lift the tar and make bumps that are sometimes quite significant, so don't be surprised. Another negative point, it is sometimes difficult to find free access water taps, even in the nautical stops you will most of the time have to go and ask for water in the bars or restaurants along the track, or leave the track to go directly to the village cemeteries.

The church of Vianne is not in the center but on the edge of the village near the east gate. It is dedicated to both Notre Dame and St. Christopher. There are some very special capitals. It is reasonable to assume that there was also a priory and hospital or pilgrims' hostel here. Perhaps this was intended to keep the sick closer to the edge of the town?

The name of Saint Christopher (Saint-CHRISTOPHE), to whom this Romanesque church in Vianne is dedicated, means "Christ-bearer". According to the legend of the saint, he was a gigantic man and carried people across a river. One day a small child called to him and he carried it on his shoulders to the other bank. Amazingly, the child became heavier and he said he felt as if the weight of the whole world was on his shoulders. Then the child revealed himself to him as Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Beautiful church of Romanesque origin dedicated to Saint Christopher

Nérac is, like Amboise, a royal city insofar as the commune is the fief of the lords of Albret who became king of Navarre in the 15th century. It is also the epicentre of Protestantism. After the massacre of Saint Bartholomew, a treaty between the two religions was born in this city. This is the Edict of Nérac which restored rights for Protestants. It was signed on 28 February 1579 between King Henry III and the religionists. After the death of Henry III in 1589, the city lost its influence, because having no descendants, it was Henri de Navarre-Bourbon-Albret who became king of France under the name of Henri IV. It is then said that when the doors of Paris opened to Henry, those of fame closed for Nérac.