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Tonneins ham is an iconic culinary specialty of the town of Tonneins, located in Lot-et-Garonne, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This traditional preparation has its origins in a local legend dating back to the 17th century. ( tipikk.com , ladepeche.fr )

🌟 Legendary origin

According to tradition, Tonneins ham takes its name from a dish called "postillon's ham", served in an inn in the town. One day, King Louis XIII, passing through the region, stopped at this inn and tasted this dish. Seduced by its flavor, he renamed it "Tonneins ham", and this name has remained ever since. ( Keldelice , ladepeche.fr , ladepeche.fr )

🧑‍🍳 Homemade preparation

Tonneins ham is made from pieces of shoulder, rind, and fresh ham. These ingredients are slowly cooked overnight in a garlicky, salty, peppery, and spicy sauce, the exact recipe of which remains secret. The result is a jellied preparation, often served in a bowl or can. ( Keldelice , guide-resto.info )

🏠 Family transmission by the Ponthoreau family

Jean-Marc Ponthoreau, a descendant of the family who brought this recipe up to date, is carrying on the tradition. His grandmother revived this specialty, and since then, the charcuterie "Le véritable jambon de Tonneins" continues to produce this delicacy in an artisanal manner.ladepeche.fr )

🍽️ Tasting

Tonneins ham can be enjoyed in different ways:

• Cold , in summer, accompanied by pickles and mustard.
• Hot , in winter, with boiled or canned potatoes, often served in a bowl.

It is also appreciated as an aperitif, cut into small cubes. ( New Aquitaine products )

🛡️ Brand protection

In May 2025, the City of Tonneins officially acquired ownership of the ""Jambon de Tonneins"" brand, thus highlighting the importance of this specialty in the local heritage and protecting traditional artisans against attempts at commercial appropriation. ( marqueetcommunication.fr )

📚 To find out more

To learn more about the history of this specialty, the book Petite histoire de Tonneins by Georges de Gibel offers a detailed overview of the evolution of the town and its traditions. ( Editions Delattre )

Do not hesitate to ask us to taste this local specialty when you make your reservation at www.lamaisonduffour-tonneins.fr .

The 2025 International Journalism Festival (FIJ) will take place in Couthures-sur-Garonne from July 11 to 13. Organized by the Le Monde Group, this event has become an unmissable event for news enthusiasts. ( Vie Économique , Le Monde.fr )

📅 Dates and program

The festival will feature around 250 events, including debates, meetings with journalists and guest personalities, educational workshops, screenings, exhibitions and activities for children with the Junior Festival. ( festivalinternationaldejournalisme.com )

The topics covered will be varied, covering current affairs and major societal issues. Among the themes already identified are activist journalism and the impact of social networks on information. ( Economic Life )

🎙️ Guests and speakers

The 2025 FIJ will welcome renowned journalists, writers, cartoonists, and current affairs figures. Previous guests have included figures such as Claire Chazal, Alex Vizorek, Bernard Guetta, Nicolas Poincaré, and Camélia Jordana. Although the guest list for 2025 has not yet been released, we can expect a high-quality lineup. ( Le Monde.fr , Vie Économique )

🚍 Access and accommodation

To facilitate access to the festival, free shuttles will be available between Marmande train station and Couthures-sur-Garonne. The village of Couthures will be closed to traffic, but a large free car park will be available at the entrance.

In terms of accommodation, several options are available:

• Book your room in our establishment
• Camping : a free camping area is accessible without reservation.
• BED & SMILE Village : natural cotton teepees for 2 or 4 people are available upon reservation.
• Motorhomes : a free field is available for motorhomes, with sanitary facilities at the entrance to the village.

For more information on access and accommodation, you can consult the page dedicated to practical information about the festival.

🧒 Junior Festival

The Junior Festival is an initiative aimed at budding young journalists. Children will be able to participate in activities such as creating the festival's daily newspaper and learning about Snapchat-style reporting, supervised by professional journalists. ( festivalinternationaldejournalisme.com , Le Monde.fr )

🎟️ Additional information

The detailed program of the festival will be available soon on the official website. To stay informed of the latest news, you can visit the festival homepage. ( festivalinternationaldejournalisme.com )

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more specific information or recommendations on events not to be missed during the festival.

The 2025 Val de Garonne Travel Journal highlights Tonneins and its surrounding area as must-see destinations for lovers of slow tourism, unspoiled nature, and living heritage. Here is an overview of the experiences not to be missed in this region of Lot-et-Garonne. ( valdegaronne-tourisme.com )

🛤️ Tonneins: a town steeped in history and water

Tonneins, located on the right bank of the Garonne, offers an immersion in its industrial and natural past. The quays of the Garonne, the rocks of Reculé and the Maison du Passeur bear witness to a time when inland waterway transport and tobacco cultivation shaped daily life. Guided walks, such as the "Tonneinquaise", allow you to relive this history along the water. Street art lovers will appreciate the trail of frescoes created during the biennial Summer Day festival. ( valdegaronne-tourisme.com )

🚴‍♀️ Soft mobility and discoveries by bike

The region encourages sustainable travel. The Tonneins Tourist Office offers electric and classic bike rentals to explore the surrounding trails, such as "Tonneins, Garonne of yesterday and today" or "Les Coteaux de Garonne". The Voie Verte du Canal de Garonne also offers a beautiful escape into nature. ( valdegaronne-tourisme.com , cotegaronne47.com )

🚌 Connected mobility: the Multimodal Exchange Hub

The Tonneins Multimodal Interchange Hub (PEM), currently under construction, aims to facilitate connections between train, bus, bicycle and car. With 77 parking spaces, 30 bicycle spaces, a secure cycle path and careful planting, it is part of a sustainable mobility and quality of life approach.Home , Home )

🎉 Events not to be missed

The Val de Garonne offers a rich program of events throughout the year:

• Festigaronne
• Garorock
• Jazz and Garonne
• The Lyrical Nights of Marmande
• The Tomato Festival
• The Strawberry Festival, etc.

L'application Archistoire, développée par les Conseils d'Architecture, d'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement (CAUE), offre une manière innovante de découvrir le patrimoine de Tonneins. Grâce à la réalité hybride, elle permet d'explorer la ville à 360° et de révéler des éléments historiques invisibles à l'œil nu. (Archistoire on the App Store, Archistoire - Une application des CAUE)

🏛️ Archistoire : une visite immersive du patrimoine

Archistoire est une application mobile gratuite qui propose des visites culturelles et patrimoniales en réalité augmentée. Elle permet de découvrir des lieux remarquables à 360 degrés, d'accéder à des anecdotes historiques, de visualiser des bâtiments disparus ou inaccessibles, et d'entendre des ambiances sonores d'époque. Les contenus sont accessibles sur place ou depuis chez soi, offrant ainsi une expérience immersive et intuitive .

📍 Tonneins : une ville riche en histoire

Tonneins, située le long de la Garonne, possède un patrimoine riche et varié. Parmi ses sites emblématiques, on trouve les quais surplombant le fleuve, l'ancienne Manufacture Royale, le vieux lavoir, ainsi que le pont conçu par Eugène Freyssinet, un chef-d'œuvre d'ingénierie du début du XXe siècle . (Archistoire, Le musée)

🏡 La Maison Duffour : un point de départ idéal

La Maison Duffour, située au 21 Cours de la Marne, est un bâtiment du XIXe siècle qui a été transformé en chambres d'hôtes. Elle offre un cadre authentique et écoresponsable, avec des chambres confortables et une table d'hôtes proposant des produits locaux . Ce lieu constitue un excellent point de départ pour débuter une visite guidée avec l'application Archistoire. (LA MAISON DUFFOUR - TONNEINS - FRANCE) que ce soit le Kiosque avec la vue sur la Garonne, le canal de Garonne à quelques coup de pédales ou les nombreuses fresques murales réalisées dans le cadre du festival : Graffiti Jam.

📲 Comment utiliser Archistoire à Tonneins

1. Téléchargez l'application : Disponible gratuitement sur l'App Store et Google Play.
2. Activez la géolocalisation : Pour accéder aux contenus adaptés à votre position.
3. Choisissez un parcours : Sélectionnez une « story » dédiée à Tonneins.
4. Explorez les points d'intérêt : Suivez le parcours et découvrez les richesses cachées de la ville. 

L'application fonctionne également hors ligne, une fois le parcours téléchargé, ce qui est idéal pour les zones à faible couverture réseau. 

Que vous soyez résident ou visiteur, l'application Archistoire est un excellent moyen de redécouvrir Tonneins sous un nouveau jour, en combinant technologie et patrimoine.

Our guest house, in Val de Garonne, has the 'accueil vélo' label , because we are located at the intersection of the Canal de Garonne greenway and the Vallée du Lot cycle route.

Our territory is located at the crossroads of the major routes of the South-West : Canal des 2 Mers, Scandibérique, Vallée du Lot, du Dropt, So vélo (Marmande-Casteljaloux) as well as numerous marked routes and connecting routes.

In addition to the equipment available on your arrival : secure garage for up to 15 bikes, free charging of your phone, GPS, VAE battery (only in the garage, strictly forbidden inside the house), small equipment for minor breakdowns, washing machine and dryer, coffee, tea, cold drink, access to the terrace, deckchairs, jacuzzi (only in fine weather), we will be happy to tell you about our region and why not make you want to take another getaway to Val de Garonne.

By reservation only: the table d'hôtes, for 27€ including a starter, a main course with side dish and dessert (please specify when booking if you have any allergies or special diet) as well as a glass of wine to celebrate your visit to us. However, you can also discover our gastronomy at our restaurant partners.

How to come to us?

From the Garonne Canal, exiting at lock No. 42: https://www.outdooractive.com/fr/route/balade-a-velo/lot-et-garonne/parcours-planifie-le-2025-02-27/310439777/?share=%7E3i4nwbia%244ossvuvn

From the Lot Valley cycle route: Tonneins-Clairac connection

https://out.ac/fEIK4

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Garorock is one of the most anticipated music festivals in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the 2025 edition promises to be memorable in Marmande. This festival attracts thousands of festival-goers each year, offering an eclectic program ranging from rock to electro, pop and hip-hop.

Marmande, located in the heart of Lot-et-Garonne, is easily accessible from several neighboring towns. Cities such as Tonneins, Agen, and Villeneuve-sur-Lot are nearby and benefit from good road connections. Bus and train lines also connect these towns to Marmande, making access to the festival easy. https://www.garorock.com/fr/acces

Festival-goers can enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the city while having the opportunity to discover the surrounding landscapes. With adapted infrastructures, Marmande is ready to welcome visitors for this great musical event. Whether you come with family or friends, Garorock 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience not to be missed!

Your favorite room since we opened in January 2020 is the Mazière. It has been booked for more than 700 nights and has welcomed many guests from all walks of life. Whether you are a cyclist on the greenway of the Garonne Canal, passing through the region, with family or on a business trip, you will love this room!

So to celebrate the event, we decided to give it a second beauty and we gave it a panoramic wall of the Japanese Sakura motif.

For the record, La Mazière is a nature reserve very close to Tonneins. This place is a highly preserved place where many migratory species come to nest or take a little rest during their journey. So this new wall in our room, is it not in keeping with the birds of La Mazière?