Varès lies in the Tolzac Valley, near the first hills of the Haut-Agenais. The landscape and the churches’ architectural history offer a different way to discover the village than Fiesta’s Varès, held every year on the last weekend of July. When planning your trip, you can choose between a recurring festival date and the area’s landscape or historical attractions.

Valley, Hills and Orchards

Apart from the Tolzac Valley, the municipal area is predominantly characterised by low hills. Small valleys cut through them, running perpendicular to the main river. Together with its location in the Tolzac Valley, this creates a landscape shaped by more than a single valley floor. The municipal boundaries extend to the first hills of the Haut-Agenais.

Orchards of plum, hazelnut, walnut and cherry trees are part of the agricultural landscape. At the same time, agricultural development has shifted away from mixed farming towards more intensive cultivation. The municipality also provides a list of living species recorded on the municipal plot of Les Roches for those interested in natural history.

Two Churches, Different Architectural Histories

The Church of Sainte-Marthe dates from the 12th century. Because of its proximity to the now-vanished Château d’Artigues, it is also known as Sainte-Marthe d’Artigues. It may have served as a chapel for a noble family. Its single-nave layout has a semicircular apse; the building also features a triangular bell gable with one arch.

The Church of Saint-Cyrq, also known as the Church of Villottes, dates from the 15th century. It was destroyed by the Huguenots during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt around 1672. Its single-nave layout has a southern chapel and a semicircular apse. The bell-tower porch has two arches supported by two buttresses.

A comparison reveals both similarities and differences in their layouts: both churches have a single nave and a semicircular apse. Sainte-Marthe has a triangular bell gable with one arch; Saint-Cyrq also has a southern chapel and a bell-tower porch with two arches. Their histories also span different periods: Sainte-Marthe dates back to the 12th century, while Saint-Cyrq’s history includes both its origins in the 15th century and its destruction and rebuilding around 1672.

Fiesta’s Varès on the Last Weekend of July

The Fiesta’s Varès village festival takes place every year over four days on the last weekend of July at Place de l’Europe. The exact dates vary from year to year, so check the dates for the relevant edition before travelling.

The 2026 edition’s programme included an outdoor bingo event and a ceremony to hand over the keys to the village. It also featured DJ sets, live music, a flea market, a meal requiring advance booking and a fireworks display. Refreshments and food were also available on site for this edition. In 2026, parking was provided in the village centre for access to the festival grounds.

For the broader travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.