Located in the Aquitaine region in south-west France, the small and picturesque town of Marmande is more famous for its production of fruits and vegetables than tourism! Weather and soil conditions means that the farms in this area of France have been successfully producing huge amounts of produce, particularly tomatoes, for centuries. The residents of Marmande even have their own tomato festival every year, when the humble fruit is celebrated with cultural events, cooking demonstrations and tastings.
The town itself is between two rivers, the Trec and the Lot, the latter of which is crossed by a suspension bridge. The current crossing was built in 1932, but there has been a suspension bridge on the site since 1838. There are pleasant walkways along the banks of both rivers, with many routes accessible to cyclists too. The medieval town is full of narrow, winding streets, with historic buildings and Romanesque chapels seemingly on every corner. The 16th century monastery in the town is open to visitors, along with its impressive courtyard garden, while the town's main church, while plain and undecorated, has stood on this site since the 13th century.
It is not just the area around Marmande that takes advantage of the perfect conditions to grow plants, as there are several attractive and well-used parks and gardens in the town itself, too. Along the rivers there are man-made beaches which are always popular in the summer, allowing locals and visitors to cool off in the waters of the Trec.
Aside from the outstanding natural scenery, which is one of the main attractions for any visitor to the Aquitaine region, there are plenty of intriguing and pretty historical towns and villages within just a short drive of Marmande, or even within walking and cycling distance. Duras, with its luxurious country home castle and Lauzun, one of the most picturesque of the Aquitaine villages, are all close by.
If you have had your fill of history and culture, take a walk on one of the marked hiking trails that cross the region. The local tourist office can provide maps, or there is a cycle hire shop in the town if you would rather explore on two wheels. Boating is another popular sport and a great way to get an unusual perspective on the Aquitaine scenery. There is a centre just south of Marmande that runs boat trips and allows visitors to hire their own boat for the day if they want to explore at their own pace.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Marmande? Then below is a selection of gites in Marmande and villas in Marmande that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
