Vianne, the fortified town
The fortified bastide town of Vianne, founded in the 13th century, stands proudly as a witness to the conflicts of history.
Exploring Vianne is like stepping into the Middle Ages, where the ingenuity of builders and architectural beauty come together in an enchanting setting.
Why visit Vianne?
- Because it is one of the few bastides in the Southwest to have preserved its fortifications.
- For its heritage, particularly its Romanesque church
- For its summer night market on Fridays
- For the pleasure of having a drink in the central square
What to visit in Vianne?
The fortifications
The ramparts are 1,250 m long. They feature a parapet walk and crenellated walls.
They have lost half their height, but their bases are intact. A footpath allows visitors to walk around them on the outskirts of the village.
Saint Christophe Church
It was built before the bastide was founded, in the 12th century, in the Romanesque style.
Medieval tombs line the site, along with marks left by stonemasons (workers) on the interior and exterior walls around the Romanesque portal.
A graffiti image of a wolf is engraved on the outside of the choir. Legend has it that there were two wolves in Vianne, marking the entrance and exit of an underground passage. The second wolf has not yet been found, nor has the treasure of the Knights Templar.
The glassworks of Vianne
The Vianne glassworks recalls the city's golden age of blown glass, founded in 1920 by the Néracais brewer Laubenheimer and the Viannais miller Latouche. At its peak, the glassworks employed 900 workers. The furnaces were shut down permanently in 2015.
The Glass Blowing Museum can be visited by appointment.
Experience life in Vianne
The "family" tour
Immerse yourself and your family in the heart of the Middle Ages with "Le Grand Tournoi de la Bastide"!
After a captivating introduction to the creation of bastides, take part in a fun adventure where your children become the heroes of a tournament organized by the co-lords of the town.
Ring toss, tug-of-war, sword fighting, sack races: discover the festive traditions of the age of knights through a range of period games. A reward awaits the bravest... Let the festivities begin!
A connected treasure hunt
Discover Vianne with interactive geocaching games that will brighten up your family outings! Armed with the mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on your smartphone, set off on an adventure with clues to find and puzzles to solve...
You can choose between Terra Aventura and Ludi BD.
The Baïse Valley Greenway
A 27-kilometer route connecting Feugarolles to Moncrabeau, passing through Vianne, built on an old railway line for non-motorized travel.
Whether you are a casual cyclist or an experienced rider, the Albret Greenway awaits you for a unique experience combining nature, culture, and well-being.
Where to eat and where to stay in Vianne?
Restaurants in Vianne
Click here
Accommodation in Vianne
- Vacation rentals
- Bed and breakfast
- RV parks
- Castles & mansions
- Group accommodation
Prepare your visit to Vianne
Access
By road
A62 motorway from Bordeaux exit 6 and Toulouse exit 6-1
By train
Agen Station: see routes to Agen.
There is no bus service to Vianne.
Parking lots in Vianne
Parking is free
- Large parking lot behind the church
- In the village
Restrooms in Vianne
The restrooms are free of charge.
- 6, rue Darreguepeu, behind the tourist office
Best time to visit Vianne
Located in the heart of southwestern France, Albret and Vianne enjoy a favorable climate that makes it a pleasant region to live in all year round!
However, the tourist season starts in May and ends in October. This also corresponds to the opening of the major local tourist attractions.
Mark your calendars:
May
Large flea market in May on the square
June
Music Festival,
European Mill Days
July and August
Theater festivals in Albret,
Vianne Festivals,
Night market on Fridays,
The ramparts ablaze...
September
European Heritage Days
October
Large fall flea market on the square,
Bastide Festival
November
Theatrical Garbure
Street view map of Vianne
The must-sees of Albret
