Things To Do
La Romieu and The Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre
Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France," La Romieu is a small but charming village that is just a 10 minute drive from Castelnau. La Romieu has a curious legend about a girl, Angeline and her cats that saved the entire village. As a result, sculptures of cats can be seen everywhere throughout the village. At the heart of La Romieu, lies the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre (Église Collégiale Saint-Pierre). Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this beautiful site is also the setting of Annette and Koen's photoshoot (see Gallery section). For a small fee, visitors can explore the church, cloister, and two towers. Also worth seeing is the nearby botanical garden, Les Jardins de Coursiana.
Lectoure and The Village of Antiques
Just a 10 minute drive from Castelnau, Lectoure is a beautiful town with a rich history. It was once the capital city of the Earldom of Armagnac (the region known for producing a distinctive type of brandy called Armagnac). Lectoure is home to the very unique Village of Antiques (Village des Brocanteurs - Antiquité). It was once the castle of the Counts of Armagnac, then became a hospital for 250 years. In 2013 it became a home to various antique shops where visitors can find unique souvenirs. The Village of Antiques is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. Also worth a visit is the Lectoure Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais), The Diane Fountain (Fontaine Diane ou Hountélie), and the farmers' market that is open on Friday.
Domaine de Mirail Winery
If you just can't get enough of that delicious French wine, Domaine de Mirail is the closest winery to Castelnau (10 minutes drive). They offer certified organic wine tasting and a thirty minute tour of the vineyard (you will need to make a reservation on their website).
Château Arton Vineyard and Armagnac Distillery
If you are looking to taste wine and Armagnac (brandy local to this region of France), look no further than Château Arton (15 minutes drive from Castelnau). Check out their website to schedule a tasting and tour.