Cycling Through History through Medieval Towns in Southwest France

Join us as as Richard cycles from our home in Temple-sur-Lot to Villeneuve-sur-Lot on the Hitway BK9s — taking in bastide towns, riverside views, cobbled lanes, and a bit of history along the way.

We visit Sainte-Livrade, Casseneuil, and Villeneuve, with a few surprises in between — all while putting this beast of a bike through its paces.

🏰 History, 🧺 markets, 🚲 e-bike comfort, and the unmistakable charm of the Lot Valley.

🎥 Filmed on location in Lot-et-Garonne, southwest France.

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📍 FEATURED LOCATIONS:
• Temple-sur-Lot: Founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, this riverside village still echoes with medieval history. It’s home to Latour-Marliac — the water lily nursery where Monet bought his famous lily’s.
• Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot: A 13th-century bastide town with an elegant arcaded square, a grand church, and a layout designed for commerce and control. Its prosperity is still visible in the architecture and street plan.
• Casseneuil: A peaceful riverside town with timbered houses and winding medieval lanes. The open-air Théâtre de Verdure, built in 1915, once hosted music and performances beneath the trees — a reminder of the region’s cultural heart.
• Villeneuve-sur-Lot: Founded in 1253 by Alphonse of Poitiers, this bastide played a key role in the Hundred Years’ War. Repeatedly contested, it grew into a wealthy trading town — its bridges, arcades, and fortified layout still standing today.

🛍️ BONUS – Fongrave Night Market:
A warm and lively celebration of rural life. Across the river is Fongrave with it’s Food stalls, live music, dancing, and fireworks. making this weekly night market one of the valley’s summer highlights!

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🛠️ ABOUT THE BIKE:
The BK9s from Hitway is a 250W electric fat tyre bike with a 48V 16Ah battery, dual suspension, and Shimano 7-speed gears.
Built for rural terrain, cobbled lanes, and gentle tracks, it offers a smooth and stable ride — ideal for exploring the French countryside without too much effort.

It includes front and rear lights, a compact toolkit, a built-in padlock, and a removable battery for easy charging.

💬 Want to know more? Drop us a question in the comments or visit:
EU Store: https://hitway.eu/products/bk9-electric-bike
UK Store: https://uk.hitway.eu/products/bk9-electric-bike
Use code MR30 at checkout for £/€30 off.

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🏞️ ABOUT THIS JOURNEY:
We set off early from Temple-sur-Lot, cycling through orchards, shaded lanes, and old river routes. Each town reveals a different layer of the region’s story — from religious commanderies to wartime memorials and open-air theatres.

The route reflects the slower rhythm of life here — one shaped by seasons, markets, and the spaces between.

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🌿 CYCLING IN THE LOT VALLEY:
This is cycling at its best: no racing, no pressure — just empty roads, rich views, and time to stop wherever curiosity takes you.
The BK9s made even rough paths feel effortless, and the ride reminded us that in France, beauty often lies just off the main road.

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🧭 REFLECTIONS ON THE ROUTE:
Each village we passed through holds its own rhythm — not just in architecture, but in daily life. The clink of coffee cups in shaded squares, the scent of warm bread drifting from open doors, the sound of bells or birdsong as we pedalled slowly by.

This wasn’t just a ride — it was a window into how history, community, and nature blend in this part of France. The slower pace allows the details to rise: old shutters worn smooth, lichen-softened walls, a smile from a stranger, or the echo of footsteps behind a chapel.

We came home with tired legs, a sun-dusted memory card, and that calm you only get from a day outdoors in good company.

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🌤️ WHY WE KEEP FILMING:
This project isn’t just about where we go — it’s about what we notice.
We film the ordinary, because in places like this, the ordinary is often extraordinary.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a quieter life, of reconnecting with what matters, we hope these small journeys feel like a gentle invitation.

There’s no script to this move — we’re learning as we go. But between the pedalling and the pastries, we’re building something that feels real, and worth sharing.

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🎵 Music: Licensed via Epidemic Sound
🎬 Subscribe: @Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance
🌍 Come stay with us: https://villa-la-rive.com/ and join in the fun!
🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more slow travel, real stories, and our new life in France.

They were proper sword wielding monks. They created havoc here in the 12th century. This is one of my favorite bits. This little track towards St. Lived. This bastile town was set up in the times when this part of France was ruled by the British crown. Yes, you heard me right. You’re rolling through a sleeping village. You can go into little places easier than you could with a car. It was founded in 1853 and in those days changed hands more times than a dodgy eBay parcel. I bring to you Richard Maria. A new life in France. Another night. Second one of the year. Second one of the day. There’s no [Music] burns under my feet. Good morning from my home in Tomlas Salot where the coffee is strong and the potholes in the lanes around me are deep enough to trap a small goat. Perfect, I thought, to test this beast because we’re going to take a ride to Vner Nerve and pass some of my favorite little towns along the way. Yes, it’s a sponsored video, but if it rattles my fillings loose or leaves me pushing it uphill like a man dragging a fridge through TLE, I’ll tell you. Let’s get these gates open. Out onto the open road. [Music] So, first off, this little building you can see here on the right hand side is the original train station for Fongra. And it’s quite interesting really because those of you that watch the series know that uh Fongra is across the river from us. So, basically they used to take a little boat from our house across the river to Fongra. This, of course, is the old railway line. Bonjour. And now it’s been turned into a cycle track. People like him, Bjour, and dog walkers alike. It’s a shame the two don’t mix, isn’t it? But this cycle track runs for miles and miles and miles. Because it was the old railway line, it connects a lot of the old towns and villages together. So, it’s just such a fantastic asset. I’m actually going uphill effortlessly. Probably doesn’t look like much of a hill, but if I was on a normal bike, I’d be puffing right now. Oh, what have we got here? This is a fun obstacle. I think we can get past this. [Music] And that’s where the chunky tires come in. That was a breeze. That’s why it’s worth having an off-road bike. This little stretch runs past the river a lot. It’s absolutely beautiful. They’ve recently spent a lot of money here redeveloping this area. [Music] Welcome to Latmplas a lot. But don’t be fooled by this sleepy riverside town. It wasn’t like that many moons ago. This commandry was built by the Knights Templar and they were proper sword wielding monks. They created havoc here in the 12th century. It sat on an old trading route between Arjun and Carhour. Boats, merchants, and monks drifting through centuries. First came the Templars, then the hospitals, each leaving their mark in stone. [Music] how times change these days. The only crusades are on a Sunday morning when you’re trying to get a table at my favorite little bar, the Barvel just over there. Such a shame. No time to stop for a beer. I will get one later. The village feels calm today, but it’s carried a lot of history on its shoulders. In World War I, it lost men whose names now stand quietly by the church. [Music] This is a lovely little restaurant, La Commandry. We do send a lot of guests here. And just over here, well, it’s not a place for bikes. So, I’ll show you these pictures instead, is Lator Meliac. It draws thousands and thousands of visitors every year to this little town. This water lily nursery supplied Claude Monaet himself. Those liies ended up in Jean and became some of the most famous paintings in the world. It’s time to move on. Places to go and things to see. [Music] [Music] [Music] Well, I’m glad it’s not just me on the wrong side of the road occasionally. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] [Music] This is one of my favorite bits. This little track towards St. Lived is lovely. It’s wooded. It’s covered in the shade. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] This is one of my favorite little towns. It’s only a 10-minute cycle from home. And yes, it’s slightly rundown in places, but it comes alive on Friday on market day. It gives you one of the best markets in the region. But this 13th century bastile town was set up in the times when this part of France was ruled by the British crown. Yes, you heard me right. St. Lrad was founded in the 13th century as a bastid. It was a carefully planned town built for commerce and protection. Its broad square, arcaded walkways, and imposing church speak of a prosperous past. Centuries on, the stone still holds that sense of quiet grandeur. A town shaped by time, not forgotten by it. Blame Eleanor of Aquitane. She married into the English royal family and half of France came with her briefly. She probably regretted that instantly. With legacies of royal marriages and shifting alliances, towns like St. Lard were shaped by that influence. Caught between kingdoms and quietly holding their ground. [Music] [Music] I’m out on the open road now and these 26x 4 in tires are doing exactly what you’d hope. They’re smoothing out the rough bits like a lio floating down the river lot. I’ve got the suspension locked out for the moment. On the smooth stuff, it helps save power. It feels stable though, not like some of those twitchy featherweights that think they’re to France contenders. That’s one thing I’m certainly not. But I will say this, it’s got me out on a bike. I’m a novice cyclist and I don’t think I’d take on a trip like this on a normal bike. But actually, I’ve quite enjoyed being under my own power for elements just to sort of burn a few of those calories. But at least I’ve got the option to do that. This is Castle Earth. I normally come to it my boat, but it really is a hidden little gem. This is where the rear suspension starts earning its keep. The streets here were clearly last reserviced during the Hundred Years War. And yet I’m gliding along like a man on a very padded armchair. What is so lovely on a bike on a hot day is the ability to just cruise around gently and take in some of the fantastic buildings that we’ve got here. I mean, they just really are picture postcard perfect. If you ever wanted to live in a little picture postcard, this would be the place to do it. One thing that’s really nice is the ability on a bike to just take it easy. It’s almost like strolling through a sleepy village, but you’re rolling through a sleepy village. You can go into little places easier than you could with a car. Let’s have a look at this. Ah, now this is the old theater. [Music] This seems like a lovely place to stop. What a place for a picnic. And that’s another thing, just whilst on the subject of stopping, Hitway didn’t just provide a bike. When you buy it, you get a fantastic little tool kit. It’s like a pocket tool kit with everything in it. A bicycle pump, front and rear lights. They’re all extras technically, but they all come with the bike. But one of my favorite things, and I know it’s really simple, is you get a a padlock with a nifty little place to lock it into. Look at that. That all comes with the bike. How cool is that? And you just slot it back into place and a presto nicely stored. It also comes with this removable battery with a key so you can lock it of course. But that’s really handy because you can just take the battery out and charge it anywhere. So you don’t have to wheel a bike inside your home to charge it. I always recommend though if you can charge them in a garage or outside of the house because lithium can be a little dangerous at times. [Music] This really is a magical little part of France. That’s the Riverled behind me. And just a 200 yards away, you can rent kayaks and boats. And there’s a lovely restaurant actually on the river called the Key. [Music] Castle’s Theata De Verdor was built around 1915 on the site of an old mill. It hosted cafe concerts and summer performances through to the 1960s. And what a fantastic stage it must have been. This time, ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you Richard Maria, a new life in France on YouTube on a very small screen near you. Castle’s core dates from the 1100s. Its timbered houses and medieval walls still standing proudly. [Music] What a beautiful sound. It’s time to move on. Next stop, Vner Salot. [Music] And yes, it’s got seven Shimano gears. Japanese engineering, smooth and fussfree. This is it. We feel nervous a lot. [Music] Let’s go and explore. The 48V 16 amp battery is still pretty full, which in technical terms means it’s got more juice than a small vineyard. [Music] And this is Vnerf Salot, the big cheese in this part of the valley. It was founded in 1853 and in those days changed hands more times than a dodgy eBay parcel. It was no accident. Vnerf’s location on the lot made it strategically crucial. During the Hundred Years War, both English and French forces fought to control it, leading to repeated sieges and occupations. Its walls held, but the town changed hands again and again. Despite the turmoil, Vilnerf prospered. Its fertile lands, bustling markets, and river trade bought lasting wealth. still visible today in the arcades, bridges, and grand stone facads. [Music] I’ve had guests that have come here and said, “Oh, I don’t rate VNF. It’s very closed down.” And yes, there are shops that are closed like this one I’m passing right at the moment. But I’ve seen it change. I’ve seen it change over the last 2 years. It’s coming back to life. It was badly impacted by CO and an even tougher time when they opened two big commercial parks that exist on the roads that lead into the town. But what you’ve got to do is just take your time, wander around, and you’ll find that you fall in love with this town. Take your time and look up and just look up at some of these beautiful old buildings. [Music] This town is worth coming to for its restaurants, its food is fantastic, I have to say. So, the BK9S, what’s the verdict? Well, it’s not light. 32 kg with the battery, but that’s because it’s got the frame of a steel Rhino and tires wide enough to park a Fiat Panda on. The dual suspension is more than just for show. It actually makes a difference, even on cobbles and gravel. It’s like riding a sofa with handlebars on. The motor doesn’t take over. It nudges you forward gently like a friendly ghost. You’re still cycling, but you’re not suffering, which frankly for me is ideal. So, yes, it’s a sponsored video, but it’s also a bike I will happily keep. It’s not for carrying up to the third floor flat, but for countryside meandering and cafe stops like this. It’s glorious. Thanks to Hitway for the bike and to you for coming along. If you fancy this beast, please enter the discount code MR30 to get €30 off. As always, the opinion’s mine, the route was real, and the beer I’m about to drink is extremely well earned. Cheers. [Music] Maria and Richard. [Music] It’s 7:00. We got here early, grabbed our table, made the party commence. Blue sky life in the net I see stories and sunsets do it. What do you think so far? Fantastic. Cheers. [Music] Another night. Second one of the year. Second one of the year. What have we got here? Creps. Crery. Yeah. Sorbet. Yeah. These are beautiful, aren’t they? Aren’t they? I don’t know. April. Apple. And and palm chocolate. Chocolate. A pom. Pom. It’s must be Natalie sat behind. Oh, they have got ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. And pulle. Pool. We’ve never done a rotisserie chicken, have we? Yes, I have. Have you? Yeah. I like the chicken. What was it like? It’s really good. You have to make sure you don’t get the leg and you get the breast. Ah. I don’t like the sliced cuz that’s a bit garlicky. And then this is my favorite place of all. This is the butcher van and he literally comes every week. In fact, I think he does a couple of these markets. But just look at those produce here. That that big one there is a entric and at the other end it’s a filt. See the size of it. He’s got lamb, sausages. Oh, what’s this one? Firm firm de cafe. Firm de cafe. Oh, can it’s duck duck patted [Music] can maggot. Maggot is duck. It’s all fried away. Look at that. Look. That looks like crispy duck. That looks amazing. It won’t be crispy. This is France. It’ll be bordering on getting me back to life. This is a sausage shop. Oh, and lamb. Lamb. It’s a lamb chop shop. Yeah. Look. Lamb. Everything. Grilling away. Perfect. A grillard. Um, what’s this? This is a bruschetta. What kind of cheese is that? Cheese. Oh, no. Rand. What’s R? I don’t know. I think it might be um sheets cheese. Oh, look. Yeah, they do a vegan burger here for those vegans amongst you. Well, it’s a veggie burger. Well, it says old burger veggie. Yes. Sorry, I take that back. It’s just a veggie burger. But look at this dish here. Amazing, doesn’t it? That’s amazing. Wow. Smells fantastic. so hazing. I’m changing into another. It’s crazy. I know. Just chase me in a show. You’ll find me in love with no other. I belong to you like the most of the sun. I belong to you and nobody I belong to you. I knew it for the first time. know what to do if we change another sh. What an atmosphere. Bongra delivers again. It’s just such an incredible experience. I mean, it’s the family thing that gets me. There are grandparents dancing with their grandchildren. It’s just fantastic. It’s an event for all ages and it’s wonderful. [Music] And they’re setting up a firework display in the middle of the river. That’s going to be spectacular. But for now, I thought our little house, look at that, with its twinkly little lights and the moon rising behind it was the perfect time to say that’s it. That’s your lot. Till the next time, goodbye. Oh, where? [Music]