Imagine taking to the water under a velvety, starry sky, your paddles gently and rhythmically splashing as you explore one of the region's most idyllic settings. Lake Thoux St Criq, a short drive from one of “Plus beaux villages de France “, Sarrant in the Gers region, is a serene stretch of water surrounded by aromatic Genêts forest.

In the summer months, a popular pastime involves navigating it by canoe under the warming glow of torches, as you admire the sunset and surrounding wildlife. Toast the sun finally sinking, and to the simpler things in life, with a well-deserved aperitif - santé!

Get your adrenalin pumping as you hike, bike, or canoe your way along the breathtaking Aveyron Gorges near the medieval market town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. Lining the River Aveyron are a series of tall, limestone cliffs which tower over the wild, verdant countryside.

Take in these incredible views from the water, as you navigate rapids past natural beaches, or follow ancient carved footpaths which meander between ferns and in the shade of chestnut groves. Follow a mountain bike circuit, Le Tombeau du Géant, which takes you past ancient dolmens.

Step into the shoes of one of France’s most famous artists, Claude Monet, and discover where he got the inspiration for some of his most beautiful paintings. The Latour Marliac water lily garden at  Temple-sur-Lot is one of the largest, and most unique, collections of coloured water lilies in the world.

Created in 1875, today it boasts over 300 varieties of water lilies. Stroll through its vast ponds and gardens, have lunch among the lilies at the onsite Cafe Marliacea, and learn the history of how horticulturalist Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac cultivated this new type of hybrid flower which eventually inspired Monet.

The whole route links the Atlantic and the Mediterranean – hence the name – but the 138km stretch from Marmande to Montauban is much more manageable. Follow the 19^th century canal along a cycle path shaded by plane trees, and you’ll come across a series of unforgettable sites and landscapes.

Stop at the tiny church of Le Mas d’Agenais to marvel at a painting which was found to be a Rembrandt, and weave through the picturesque vineyards of Buzet. Traverse the famous Pont Canal of Agen, the second largest canal bridge in France, and explore the medieval city of Moissac. Finally you’ll reach the charming red-roofed town of Montauban, by the River Tarn.

Produced in the southwest region lying between the rivers Adour and Garonne in the foothills of the Pyrenees, today you can visit vineyards and distilleries to find out how this unique spirit is made.

Armagnac is the oldest wine brandy produced in south-western France, in the heart of Gascony (the first evidence of its use dates back to 1310). Obtained by distilling white wine in an Armagnac still, and aged for many years in oak casks, Armagnac is a traditional product, made in small quantities by winegrowers and craftsmen who are the bearers of ancient know-how. Today you can visit vineyards and distilleries to find out how this unique spirit is made.

But a visit here is not just limited to seeing distilleries, with an array of quirky experiences on offer including walking and cycling tours of the vineyards, tasting workshops and escape games.

Alluring, gorgeous, exquisite... no matter how many synonyms there are for the word ‘beautiful’, they could never possibly do justice to ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’, a collection of over 170 rural villages (14 of which can be found in the regions of Lot-et-Garonne, Gers and Tarn-et-Garonne) which all boast a rich, cultural heritage. The likes of Bruniquel, Penne d’Agenais, Larressingle, Lauzerte, Montréal-du-Gers, Minerve and Villeréal will utterly charm you with their half-timbered houses, flower-bedecked streets, cobbled main squares, and vibrant local markets. Some are fortified, some perch on top of hills, but all of them share the elements required to soak up the art de vivre in the Southwest of France: rich history, good food, and a slow lifestyle.