Races in Agen

Located between Les Landes, Périgord and Quercy, in the Agenais, this emblematic town of Lot-et-Garonne, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, once belonged to Gascony (for history buffs). You’ll also find a few vestiges from yesteryear there, such as the church of the Rabby Jacobins, which used to be a convent (for your little history minute). And we can already see you coming… Admit it! You’re looking for a great running route in Agen? Of course, and unsurprisingly, we warmly recommend stretching your stride along the banks of the Garonne. If you’ve got the legs, you can reach Bordeaux to the north (about 135 km) or Toulouse to the south (106 km)! But before you set off on those long routes, you absolutely have to discover Agen—trust us, the megacity of the 47 is well worth the detour! 

Start your visit with an interval session on the famous Pont-Canal, symbol of the "Pearl of the South", and sprint all the way to the Chabrières Lock! Then head out to explore the charming medieval streets of the city center, like Rue des Augustins, Rue de Beauville or Rue des Cornières. One caveat though: if you venture into the city center while running, keep your eyes peeled to avoid pedestrians—there are plenty of people on weekends, especially on Boulevard de la République. And of course, don’t forget the architectural side, otherwise Jean Nouvel might be disappointed. For that, we suggest taking a look at Saint-Caprais Cathedral before heading to the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Bourg. If you’re looking for a nice route with a bit of elevation gain, head to the Coteau de l’Ermitage (it’s the small hill you see when arriving by high-speed train), which will give you a splendid view over the town. We particularly recommend Rue "Coupo Gambo" (which means leg cutter—use your imagination as to why). You can also consider a little outing near the Lacassagne Tower in Boé. Don’t forget to go to Villascopia (no, no, it’s neither a movie nor a Pokémon 🤣) 8 km southeast of Agen: it’s an ancient Gallo-Roman villa and its garden. After all that, if you’re after some greenery, head to the Frayère d’Alose Nature Reserve just a stone’s throw from the city center, or to the Passeligne Natural Park south of Agen. There it is—nature, the real thing… After all that, we almost forgot to tell you about Agen’s race calendar! You can take part in the Agen Urban Trail, the Petit Bleu Run, or All of Agen Runs at Christmas.

To discover a city in every nook and cranny, what could be better than sampling its cuisine? For that, we suggest you enjoy a nice slice of tourtière (there’s even a prune version). And if you’re there at the right time, you can even take part in the Grand Pruneau Show, a major event in the city.

Have you already visited everything and want more? Lot-et-Garonne will also charm you with its many villages such as Montflanquin, Pujols-le-Haut or Villeréal (no, it’s not a football club), as well as its caves—especially the Lastournelle and Fontirou caves—and if you want to work up a sweat, take a look at the race calendar in the 47; there’s plenty to enjoy!

Do you like a challenge? Step out of your comfort zone and come play rugby—you might even outdo the players of Sporting Union Agen, a club that already holds 8 French championship titles! Rugby and running go very well together 👌.