12 Must-See Places In Authentic Southwest

Published: June 30, 2025 by Justin Postlethwaite

MONTAUBAN

From Place Nationale, the newly renovated historic main square, to the museum dedicated to legendary local artists Ingres and Bourdelle, to superb boutiques. Tarn-et-Garonne préfecture Montauban is a great destination for a city break.

MONTECH

As well as being a delightful place for picnicking hikers and cyclists by the canal Latéral à la Garonne, Montech is famed for its innovative lock-leaping Pente d’eau (water slope), which is now a museum, and its paper-making industrial heritage.

BEAUMONT-DE-LOMAGNE

In this tranquil 13th-century bastide, visit the impressive fortified church and magnificent wooden central market. For a great panorama, head onto the roof of the museum dedicated to mathematician Pierre Fermat, who was bom here in 1601.

AUVILLAR

A pilgrim stopover on the way of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle and proudly listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, eye-pleasing Auvillar is beloved for its iconic circular grain market, located in right in the heart of the magical village square.

BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES

Authentic Southwest is blessed with more than its fair share of pretty villages – follow the Route des Plus Beaux Villages de France: Monflanquin, Penne d’Agenais, Pujols (pictured), Tournon d’Agenais, Villeréal, Auvillar, Larressingle and Fourcès.

CHÂTEAU DE BONAGUIL

Be wowed by your first sighting of the last of the great fortified castles to be built in France. A model of defensive architecture and reputedly impregnable, it has never been attacked. Great period events take place here all summer long, too.

LE JARDIN DES NÉNUPHARS LATOUR-MARLIAC

The world’s oldest aquatic nursery is where the colourful water lilies that inspired Claude Monet were bom, Over lunch at Café Marliacea, admire the national collection.

LE CABINET DE CURIOSITÉS

Just a stone’s throw from the water lily garden, visit the home of Latour-Marliac, the inventor of coloured water lilies, which offers a unique and poetic 19th-century immersion in art, botany and scientific exploration.

VALENCE-SUR-BAÏSE

This pretty Gers village with its fine main square is a short drive from spectacular former Cistercian Abbaye de Flaran, a true heritage gem founded in 1151 that also houses the rich Simanow collection of artworks from the 16th to 20th centuries.

CONDOM

An episcopal city, this charming stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela has historic gravitas and architectural marvels aplenty: don’t miss the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and its cloister, stunning private mansions and annual bandas festival.

LARRESSINGLE

A truly unique village-fort not far from Condom, Larressingle is on the Plus Beaux Villages de France list, and provides visitors with a unique immersion in medieval history. Step back in time by visiting the château-donjon and two-aisled church.

FOURCES

With its unusual circular village square the site of its original castle and moat – Fourcès is another Plus Beau Village to add to your itinerary. Admire the medieval half-timbered houses alongside bourgeois mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries.