A village shaped by history, Mézin is a small town of 1500 inhabitants in Lot-et-Garonne. Situated in the centre of Gascony, it is a tourist destination that lovers of the Middle Ages will appreciate.
Between outdoor activities and the discovery of the cultural heritage of the Landes, Mézin, the birthplace of Armand Fallières, president of the republic in 1906, is a town to be discovered absolutely during your stay in the Landes.
Tourism Mézin : what to do ?
Mézin is a city which reserves you beautiful surprises. Between its church, the epicentre of the development of the medieval city, its cork museum, the “local gold” and its castle, it is a town steeped in history.
The visit you must absolutely make: the museum of Liège and the cork.
The cork museum is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Mézin and more generally of Albret. Certified “Musée de France” by the State, this establishment retraces the history and development of the cork industry from the 19th century onwards.
This museum is an opportunity for you to take a leap back in time and discover the history and development of the cork industry from the 19th century onwards:
- the way of life of the workers in charge of producing the corks
- the period tools that were used
- the work of bark washers
- the new uses of cork in fields such as aerospace or fashion
In addition, each year the museum presents a temporary exhibition on cork and the different inventions related to its exploitation.
The museum of cork and the cork stopper of Mézin is part of the tourist activities to be carried out at the time of your passage in the commune. Admission fees are accessible. Count less than 5€ to be able to discover the establishment.
For the more playful, the museum has set up an escape game centred on two themes: President Armand Fallières and cork. Whether with friends, family or colleagues, the escape game “in the footsteps of Armand Fallières” allows you to spend a fun and entertaining moment between two visits!
The town’s historic monument: Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Mézin church
The cork city developed around its church, the true epicentre of the town and former Benedictine priory.
Listed as a “historical monument” since the 19th century, the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Mézin was built in 1077 by order of Pope Gregory VII. A true monument of the medieval city, the former monastery located on one of the roads leading to Compostela is a flagship of cultural tourism in Mézin.
The visit of the church is free of charge.
Discovery of the medieval village
With its narrow streets, stone houses and flowery gardens, Mézin is a charming town well worth a visit. You can stroll through the streets of the town and enjoy the beauty of the village.
In order to offer a unique experience to visitors to Mézin, the town’s tourist office has, with the help of the inhabitants, set up a video-guide system that you can get at the Musée du Liège.
With the videoguide, you will discover the history of the city independently and free of charge.
Côté activité : faire du VTT
Mézin is the starting point for some sporting activities in the Albret country. Within the medieval town, you can go mountain biking or hiking thanks to a network of perfectly marked trails.
The Albret region abounds in mountain bike trails accessible to all and for all levels. 3 circuits start from Mézin.
Try your hand at hiking
Hiking in Gascony, that’s not what it lacks. With nearly 168 km of marked trails, there are many paths passing through the cork city of Mézin and you will have no trouble finding a route that suits you.
Between the forest of the Landes and the Armagnac hills, the hikes will allow you to enjoy landscapes that are both unique and exceptional.
If you would like more information about the activities and monuments to discover in Mézin, you can go to the tourist office of the town.
When to travel to Mézin?
Mézin, like the vast majority of towns in the west of France and the Pays d’Albret, is busiest in the summer months.
To take full advantage of the town’s picturesque charm and the Landes countryside, we advise you to visit between March and June.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Mézin is limited to the relais de Gascogne and to the gîte de la maison du bouchonnier.
If one of these accommodations is already booked, you can find accommodation nearby. The towns of Nérac or Barbaste are good alternative accommodation options if you cannot find accommodation in Mézin.
Where to eat in Mézin?
There are 3 restaurant addresses in the medieval city.
L’auberge des 7 princes : in summer, you can enjoy the restaurant’s shady flowered terrace. L’Auberge des 7 Princes offers traditional cuisine as well as home-made pizzas. Prices range from €10 to €22.
Le Relai de Gascogne : this restaurant offers traditional and regional cuisine, giving you the opportunity to taste regional specialities. The hotel also offers 17 rooms to make your stay a relaxing one.
How to get to Mézin?
Mézin is accessible by car. To do so, you need to take the D117, the D5 or the D656 which passes through Nérac, the former capital of the Pays d’Albret.
From Agen, it takes 50 minutes to get to Mézin and visit the old medieval town.