Holidays in Lot-et-Garonne: So Vélo, a little cycling paradise

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It's a beautiful escape that still has the scent of novelty since it was only inaugurated in July 2023. This 22 km greenway between Marmande and Casteljaloux is located on the right-of-way of the old Marmande – Mont-de-Marsan railway line (it continues for 5 km to Pindères). The dismantling of the rails began in the midst of a global pandemic, and the work, like a good old-fashioned train, took its time. This is mainly due to the 26 badly damaged engineering structures that punctuate the route. But their restoration was worth it, the choice having been made to give them a new visual identity, each bridge having its own personality to be discovered as you wander.

From the poplar groves of the "city of tomatoes" to the pine forest, from the journey along the Garonne Canal to the stroll near the "mates" (dykes) enclosing the Garonne, from the vast nourishing plains of Marmande to the spa town of Casteljaloux, the So Vélo offers a variety of landscapes that fans of walking, rollerblading, cycling, and scootering appreciate at their true value. Tourists and Sunday sports enthusiasts can also go to the Marmande tourist office to rent a bike for the day. They will have to follow the instructions carefully to access the So Vélo which, since its inauguration, has suffered from unclear signage.

Nature and arty

After parking on the Filhole plain (site of the famous Garorock music festival ), access is either via rue de Garonne and chemin du Roc, or via avenue Jean-Jaurès, towards Bordeaux, near the Gestis Menuiserie company. Then head to chemin de Thivras for a two and a quarter hour walk (round trip) allowing you to discover, in addition to varied landscapes, works of land art created by three artists : the flags of Marianne Plo on the viaduct over the Garonne, "Les Reflets" by Line Bourdoiseau near the canal bridge in Montpouillan, and the "Dômes" by Julien Mouroux on the rest areas of Samazan and Bouglon. They punctuate the route, in resonance with the flamboyant and colorful decoration of the bridges.

Along the way, several rest areas have been set up with picnic tables and children's games. It is also possible to get help at the Samazan rest stop (benches with tools and tire inflation, electric bike charging stations) or at the arrival at the Gascon Lodge in Casteljaloux. The walk is also enhanced by educational panels: location map, available equipment, and local historical anecdotes, enough to keep your head and legs moving.

Interconnected

The other advantage of the So Vélo is that it is part of a large-scale cycling network: it is linked to Montpouillan, via the Canal de Garonne, to the greenway of the Canal des Deux-Mers , itself an access point to the Scandibérique . This will delight long-distance cycle tourists who want to make a detour to the eagle's nest village of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, the nautical stopover of Pont-des-Sables or to discover the fortified village and the Rembrandt of Mas-d'Agenais.

Not forgetting that only three short kilometers separate the arrival in Casteljaloux from Lake Clarens: a lovely spot for picnicking, recuperating and swimming in the shade of the umbrella pines. It's also a chance to enjoy a homemade ice cream on the terrace of Tontons Papas or to take to the skies on a zip line above the swans. Achy athletes can relax in the town's spa complex, the Bains de Casteljaloux . A great way to end a "so South-West" itinerary.