Casseneuil: Medieval charm on three rivers

A stone path leads to the Lède river in Casseneuil.

With its half-timbered houses from the 13th to 15th centuries, the little village of Casseneuil retains much of its medieval charm. If you find yourself in the center of the Lot-et-Garonne department, consider a brief stop in Casseneuil. The village is located on a natural peninsula at the confluence of the Lot, Lède and Sône rivers. Its name means “clearing in the forest of oaks.”

The Lède river is one of three that meet in Casseneuil.

Unsurprisingly, residents of Casseneuil, les Casseneuillois, welcome most of their tourists during the summer months. Boats paddle past on their way down the Lot River from Villeneuve-sur-Lot to Aiguillon, a 49-km ride, or canoes and kayaks can be rented at a base camp in the village. Each July, Casseneuil hosts a “big jump” party during which, as the name implies, brave souls jump into the waters of the Lot.

The Lot River in Casseneuil is the setting for a “big jump” each July.

A stop in Casseneuil at other times of the year offers the chance to spend a pleasant hour or so admiring the houses, castle ramparts, church and remains of an ancient theater. The village has a pizza place (Pizza Nini) and an auberge (Les 2 Marrionnniers) for those visiting around meal time.

Casseneuil’s former Mairie sits in the village square.

A nearby walking trail, Pech Neyrat, offers panoramic valley views as well as a bit of historical trivia: Some believe (though others do not) that in 778, Charlemagne’s wife, Queen Ermengard, gave birth to their son Grégoire (aka Louis the Pious) in a house commissioned by the Emperor and located in this scenic area.

Remains of castle ramparts still stand in Casseneuil.

Like many villages in this part of France Casseneuil has a sad history. Massacres, plagues, famines floods occurred here, as did a complete dismantling of the town in the early 13th century. The village was, unknowingly a staging area for the deportation of Jews to extermination camps during World War. II. The resilient village of Casseneuil has, nonetheless, survived. (A more detailed history, in French, of the village can be found on the Casseneuil Mairie website here.)

Notable people who were born in Casseneuil include Jean Alban Bergonié (1857-1925), a physician/surgeon who pioneered cancer treatment, X-rays, war surgery, and obesity treatment. He received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor 15 days before his death. Another native son, Marie-Joseph Cassant (1878-1903), was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004.

Église Saint Pierre et Saint Paul in Casseneuil is notable for its
frescoes dating back to the 15th to 16th centuries.

Casseneuil’s church, Saint Pierre et Saint Paul has been classified as an historical monument. It is notable for its frescoes.

Église Saint Pierre et Saint Paul in Casseneuil was built in
the 15th to 16th centuries.

Casseneuil is located halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, 9 km from Villenueve-sur-Lot and 40 km from Agen. Market day is Wednesday, and the village has Saturday evening markets during the summer.

Red adds a blast of color to the medieval village of Casseneuil.