Lot Valley: The Alliance of Offices at the Service of Renewed Tourism

IN SHORT

Project to create a tourist identity for the Lot Valley underway for two years.
Merger of the tourist offices of Villeneuve-Lot Valley, Fumel-Lot Valley, and Lot-et-Tolzac.
Visit by the Minister of Tourism, Nathalie Delattre, on February 14, to support this project.
Objective: promote sustainable tourism focused on rurality by 2030.
Common initiatives already in place: promotional film, tourist map, and activity guide.
Launch of a call for tenders to develop governance solutions and finalize the merger by 2026.
Visitors: Villeneuve-Lot Valley (16,500), Lot-et-Tolzac (6,000), Fumel-Lot Valley (17,500).

For two years, the Lot Valley has been committed to an innovative path in terms of tourism. This ambitious project is taking shape with the merger of the tourist offices of Villeneuve-Lot Valley, Fumel-Lot Valley, and Lot-et-Tolzac, a process praised by the Minister of Tourism, Nathalie Delattre. This initiative aims to enhance the attractiveness of the region while providing an enriching experience for visitors.

The foundations of the merger #

The project to create a true tourist identity for the Lot Valley is based on close collaboration between the three tourist information offices. This approach represents a real challenge as it reflects the willingness of local stakeholders to unite to better attract visitors. With the merger of the offices, the goal is clear: to offer a coherent and appealing offer for rural tourism while highlighting the wealth and diversity of the area.

A decisive ministerial support #

On February 14, during a visit to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the Minister of Tourism, Nathalie Delattre, had the opportunity to witness the efforts made by elected officials such as Gérard Régnier, mayor of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, and Didier Caminade, president of the Community of Communes of Fumel-Lot Valley. This meeting was a crucial turning point for the project, allowing the minister to be presented with the progress made and to receive important support for the merger. The minister emphasized the importance of developing less seasonal tourism, more focused on rurality and agrotourism, while encouraging synergies between territories.

An ambitious project for 2026 #

The president of the Villeneuve-Lot Valley tourist office, Anne Delliaux, clearly stated that this merger will not mean an absorption of existing structures, but rather the creation of an integrated whole that will highlight each specificity. Encouraged by the initial successes of collaboration, the project includes the development of common communication tools, such as a promotional film and a tourist map. To move forward, a joint call for tenders will be launched to select a study office tasked with thinking about the governance, legal statuses, and the human resources needed to finalize this merger by 2026.

Concrete short-term initiatives #

While waiting for this union, collaborative efforts continue for the 2025 season. The tourist offices will implement concrete initiatives, including the creation of a joint guide for activities, the updating of the Guide du Routard for the 2026 edition, and the establishment of promenade circuits by gabare between Penne-d’Agenais and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. These joint actions demonstrate a strong commitment to energizing the tourist sector of the Lot Valley.

The tourist dynamics in figures #

Currently, the tourist landscape of the Lot Valley is challenged by revealing figures. The Villeneuve-Lot Valley tourist office attracts approximately 16,500 visitors with a budget of 700,000 euros, while Lot-et-Tolzac receives 6,000 visitors on a budget of 80,000 euros, and Fumel-Lot Valley, in turn, is visited by 17,500 visitors with a budget of 460,000 euros. These figures illustrate the importance of synergy and collaboration to enhance the attractiveness of the destination.