Dominique Renouf runs a solar-powered and autonomous boat rental company on the Lot Aval. Dominique's rental base, Boats for the Planet, is located in Casseneuil, on the banks of the Lot River. She has a thorough knowledge of navigation and tourism on this ancient tributary of the Garonne, of which she presents the attractions and practical details.
A mistreated river
Removed in 1926 from the nomenclature of navigable waterways, the river Lot was reworked in 1945 to allow the installation of 5 hydroelectric dams and about thirty micro-power stations. The signal was given that this formerly navigable waterway would never be navigable again.
" It was in the early 2000s that the General Council decided to create locks in the dams. The objective was then to reopen the river Lot to navigation to make it an important tourist element "explains the yachtswoman.
While there was a junction channel between the Lot and the Garonne, the river has been isolated since 2018.
A peaceful and simply beautiful navigation
" From Fumel to Aiguillon, the river Lot offers everything a navigator could want " guides Dominique. " This reach constitutes the wild part of the river Lot. It is sometimes 200 meters wide with a 30 meter wide strip of prohibited bank on the right and on the left, to protect the banks against eddies. It should also be remembered that the dams put in place on its bed have widened it and that in certain places, the draught is quite low between the old banks and the surface ".
Rest assured, the signage for this permanent channel is quite clear. " It is sometimes hidden by vegetation, it is a natural basin and wishes to remain so "adds Dominiique.
Be careful, downstream of Castelmoron, the channel markings are staggered, you have to take a right turn when going downstream.
Generally speaking, the Lot River is 5 to 6 meters deep in its channel, with a single low point of 6 meters of air draft on the whole course. Dominique insists on the necessity to stay in the channel: " The riverbanks are fragile and constitute important ecosystems along the river, and must be given great care. "
In order to reduce the backwash, the speed limit is 9 kilometers per hour along the entire route.
In total, there are about forty pontoons available along the river. Five boat slips ( Caseneuil, St Sylvestre, Fongrave, Castelmoron and Clerac ).
For the rest it is, according to Dominique, " almost impossible to moor to the banks, too inaccessible ". It is therefore preferable to use the fairground mooring or the pontoons to stop on the lower Lot.
Finally, there are two main ports that we will meet along the way. The first one is in Castelmoron ( Port la lande ). The other is in St Sylvestre Penne-d'Agenais ( Port la Gabarde-Fumel ).
Among the remarkable facilities, a large omnisport rowing base in Temple sur Lot. It will serve as a training area for the 2024 Olympics.
The guide's advice
There is no shortage of tourist attractions in the region. Dominique accompanies us: " I recommend that all tenants visit the Water Lily Garden in Temple-sur-Lot. The garden was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac. It is said that Claude Monet was inspired to design his own garden in Giverny from this garden. The garden is located 900 meters from the pontoon, so you can easily stop for a walk ".
" In Saint-Sylvestre, you must visit the village of Penne d'Agenais, just next to Saint-Sylvestre-sur-Lot. A short kilometer uphill from the banks of the river. The village itself is sublime to visit, there is a basilica and a sanctuary which deserve a real detour "continues the connoisseur.
Let's continue this beautiful walk on the water towards Trentels. " You must visit the mill of Lustrac, on the edge of the river. You can moor at its pontoon to visit it, it is a beautiful place in the middle of nature which deserves a stop. "
Finally, we reach the pearl of the region, Pujols. " Pujols has been classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France and it is largely deserved" . To get there, from Villeneuve-sur-Lot, shuttles are available.
We are, to say the least, in a gastronomic region, so we must move on to the agapes.
" The foie gras museum is a must for anyone who loves good food "explains Dominique. A little removed from the river, the museum can be reached from the port of Penne-d'Agenais by bicycle. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
The region invented the Agen prune. " Rather, the prune technique was invented in Asia and the plums arrived in the region before being dried in Agen "corrects Dominique. That's all it took for the prune museum to be opened in Lafitte-sur-lot. With its own private and free pontoon.
Finally, every summer all the villages along the Lot have agreed to organize gourmet markets. " It is absolutely necessary to visit that of Fongrave on Thursday, that of Villeneuve on Friday and Casseneuil on Saturday evening "insists our guide.
To return to navigation, Dominique likes to remind us that his river is human and useful above all: " Each lock that we pass is to be seen and discovered. The lock keepers are all more welcoming than the others. The traffic is calm on the river. They all take the time to discuss and help the boaters. Some will offer you a small coffee, nothing forbids you to do the same. "
Few nautical services on the river
The locks are open from April 1st at November 1st , d' " about "9 a.m. to about 6:30 p.m.
To be noted, the inflatable boats are prohibited from sassement on the downstream Lot.
The river Lot has only two nautical services. Villeneuve Marine, in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, has its own pontoon. In Castelmoron, Castelmoron Nautic is located a few hundred meters from the free nautical stop of the town.
Boaters who need to fuel will find them at New Year's Eve at the Intermarché.
Local tips and tricks
Navigation on the river Lot does not present any difficulty. It is even, according to the expression used by Dominique " a large lake between two dams ". In addition to the precautions and rules of behaviour on the entire domestic network ( wearing of protective equipment, reduction of speed to a minimum, reduction of remouseuros ), some places may present some inconvenience or risk for boaters.
Dominique tells us about Villeneuve-sur-Lot: " Stopping at the Villeneuve stop does not pose any problems during the day. At night, however, there are sometimes incivilities or incidents. It is therefore better not to consider spending the night there. "
In a more cheerful vein, the guide has some good restaurants to recommend: " In Temple-sur-Lot, you have to eat at the commandery. This restaurant is in an old bastide of the XIIIth century. Less than 500 meters from the nautical stop of Temple-sur-Lot, it is the ideal place to have a great meal. "
In a more modern vein, Dominique recommends the hotel-restaurant opened by Philippe Ginestet, the founder of the Gifi chain of stores. " He transformed a private mansion into a hotel, restaurant and leisure place for the whole family. It's called Le Stelsia, it's very modern from the outside and the food is really good. "
The icing on the cake is that the restaurant is located 900 meters from the Lot, a perfect opportunity for a postprandial digestive walk.
According to Dominique, the businessman's secret dream is to make Saint-Sylvestre-sur-Lot a water city so that he can open a casino there. Will you soon be betting on the tables of the Saint-Sylvestre casino?
The downstream Lot in summary
- A hundred kilometers long, from Fumel to Aiguillon.
- Eight nautical stops more or less equipped.
- The draft is several meters at any point of the channel. The maximum air draft is 6 meters.
- The locks are all inhabited.
- Passage of locks prohibited to tires
- Navigation is prohibited within 30 meters of the shoreline
- Fuel in Saint-Sylvestre.
Managing institution: navigation service of the Lot et Garonne department (05 53 69 34 46)
Emergency services: By phone by dialing 18 or 112
Recommended IGN maps:
- 1939sb - Penne-d'Agenais / Montaigu-De-Quercy
- 1839sb - Villeneuve-Sur-Lot / Castelmoron-Sur-Lot
- 1938sb - Fumel / Montflanquin
- 1838sb - Cancon / Miramont-De-Guyenne
