The best traffic-free bike rides around Xaintrailles

Very pleasant and shady and not too crowded.

Saint-Caprais Cathedral in Agen features several architectural peculiarities: its Romanesque apse is extended by a single-nave Gothic nave. Replacing an earlier wooden campanile, the current bell tower was built in 1835 at the initiative of Bishop Jean-Aimé de Levezou de Vezins and is unusual in that it consists of three Gothic stylistic elements (lancet Gothic, radiant Gothic, and flamboyant Gothic) curiously presented in reverse chronological order. A corbel composed according to this principle can still be seen in a corner of the north transept of Agen Cathedral. This corbel, in itself, is a small monument containing two large formerets and a long-span pointed arch. The paintings on the walls and ceilings depict the history of the arrival of Christianity in the region. A central role is given to the first martyrs of Agen. Other paintings are presented in series: the Evangelists, the Apostles, the patriarchs of the Jewish people (Abraham, Noah, etc.), the great kings of Israel, etc. The cathedral is much shorter than one might expect, judging by the size of the choir; indeed, political and financial difficulties greatly influenced the cathedral's final form. The painted decoration was entrusted to Jean-Louis Bézard, a painter from Toulouse who won the Prix de Rome in 1829. He completed the decoration of the chapel of the Hospice Saint-Jacques d'Agen, now the departmental hotel, in 1845, which has since disappeared. At the same time, he began painting the Chapel of the Virgin Mary in the cathedral. He continued decorating the cathedral until 1869. The choice of themes was made by the cathedral clergy and was the subject of debate between the painter and Abbé Deyche. For the decoration of the apse, the choice was made to depict the martyrdom of the saints of Agen. For the rest of the decoration, the paintings blend local themes and Marian iconography, the great figures of the Bible, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Jean-Louis Bézard drew inspiration from the decoration of the Sicilian churches of Palermo and Montereale for the medallions of the arches of the transept crossing. The altar decoration: an altar cross and six candlesticks are listed as historical monuments. On the counter-façade, two statues: on the right, Saint Caprais, and on the left, Saint Stephen, by Louis Rochet. The main organ, built by organ builder Jean-Baptiste Stoltz, was featured at the 1855 World's Fair in Paris. According to legend, it was donated by Empress Eugenie in 1858 to Agen Cathedral, which until then had no instrument. It is the largest instrument in the Lot-et-Garonne department, with 45 stops spread over three manuals and a pedalboard. It has mechanical action. It is listed as a historic monument. The choir organ was built by organ builder Jules Magen in 1885 (15 stops over two manuals/pedalboard). It has been listed as a historic monument. Concert pianist and organist Jérôme Chabert has been its organist since 2002. He founded the Heures d'Orgue, an international festival held every summer in July and August on the cathedral's two organs.

Saint-Caprais Cathedral was built in the 12th century on the site of an episcopal basilica constructed in the 6th century, sacked by the Normans in 853 and then restored. Saint-Caprais Church is mentioned, along with Saint-Étienne Cathedral, in the will of Raymond, Lord of Toulouse, Marquis of Gothia, Count of Rouergue, Gévaudan, and Narbonne, who died in 961.[6] It was originally a collegiate church. Sacked again in December 1561 during the Wars of Religion, Saint-Caprais Collegiate Church became a fodder store in 1791 before being reopened in 1796 and becoming the official cathedral of Agen, following the destruction of the old Saint-Étienne Cathedral during the Revolution. It was elevated to the rank of cathedral in 1802. At the request of the Bishop of Agen, Jean-Aimé de Levezou de Vezins, the architect Gustave Bourrières[7] rebuilt the south façade, the bell tower, and the interior floors between 1838 and 1847.

The Buzet-sur-Baïse river stop is ideal for taking a break along the Canal Lateral à la Garonne. Perfect for cyclists, with plenty of supplies to stock up on!

The setting is magnificent, it is a restaurant / guest house so it is not possible to have a picnic, but to have a small restaurant in a superb setting it is perfect.

Very pleasant route, mostly asphalted in the shade and at the water's edge of course. However, the Lot-et-Garonne part of this route is more bumpy, the roots lift the tar and make bumps that are sometimes quite significant, so don't be surprised. Another negative point, it is sometimes difficult to find free access water taps, even in the nautical stops you will most of the time have to go and ask for water in the bars or restaurants along the track, or leave the track to go directly to the village cemeteries.

Perfectly signposted, here you leave the canal to head towards the Lot valley

Nice little stop with tables and benches, there is even a barbecue available 😁. In my opinion, the stops at Villeton (8 km away) or Buzet (4 km away) are more pleasant.