Le Puy Camino - Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour

Land Tour

7 days

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Le Puy Camino - Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location

$AUD 227 per day

Departure: Lectoure, France

Traverse the centuries of time and the borders of Europe on the medieval pilgrim trail of Compostela. In the 9th century, the tomb of the apostle St James was unearthed in Compostela. The site became the focus of a pilgrim trail beginning in France, and crossing northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. This journey, along the Via Podensis, the French Way of St James, takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port. The route passes a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art. Six stages of this historic trail are included in our self-guided walking program in France.
This stage between Lectoure and Aire sur l'Adour is through the heart of the Armagnac region. Leaving the limestone coloured landscapes surrounding Lectoure, the trail weaves through the Gers with its open farmland interspersed with historic villages dominated by their cathedrals and churches, bullrings and bastides. Markets with an abundance of local products and fields of corn and vines lay testament to the areas deep connections to the land and the strong gastromomic traditions of the region.
About
6 breakfasts, 6 dinners (5 in the upgrade option): Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a dessert of fruit or cakes.
6 nights in comfortable hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Digital information pack: navigational App (can be used offline) with route notes & maps.
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 13kg, supplement applies for excess
Visitor tax
Emergency hotline
Hightlights
Exploring the villages and bastides of Gascony including Condom, Séviac, Montréal du Gers Eauze and Larresingle
Walking the Camino past numerous historic churches, crosses and pilgrim posts
Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims
Experiencing the culinary delights of the region including a tasting of Armagnac

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Lectoure
On arrival in the spa town of Lectoure, make your way to your hotel. Built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne, the town has an imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, and a colourful history such as the siege of Louis XI in 1473. If you are here on a Friday there is a fabulous market in the morning showcasing the region's gastronomic delights. Dinner will be at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 - Walk to La Romieu (5hrs)
Leaving Lectoure and the Ger River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan, where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. Continuing through fields and woods, the trail descends gently to La Romieu. Here you can visit the 14th century church whose towers resemble a castle and whose cloisters are a 'must-see'.
Distance 18km/11.2mi, +349m/1145ft, -350m/1148ft
Day 3 - Continue to the Armagnac town of Condom (4hrs)
Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found throughout the area), the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze and the Armagnac 'Noir', where thick black oak woods are found and 57% of the wine crops of Armagnac are located. Condom is one of the principal Armagnac towns and is located at a spur of the rivers Gele and Baise. The key attraction is the Gothic styled cathedral of St Peter's, the last built in the Languedoc style.
Distance 13km/8.1mi, +237m/777ft, -331m/1086ft
Day 4 - Walk to Montréal-du-Gers with its arcaded market place (5hrs)
En route to Montréal-du-Gers we recommend a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle, which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the 'most beautiful villages in France', referred to by the locals as the "Carcassonne of Gers". Further along the route you pass the Pont d'Artigues, a Romanesque bridge over the Osse. It was also the site of a pilgrim hospital and a church but there are no remains of these buildings today. A little further along you come across the Eglise de Routges, the oldest church in the region, before arriving at Montréal-du-Gers. This interesting bastide town was one of the first English fortified towns of Gascogne (1289). It has a central square surrounded by arcades, the 13th century Church of Ste Marie and historic houses.
Distance 16km/9.9mi, +263m/863ft, -239m/784ft
Day 5 - To the Roman town of Eauze (5hrs)
The route this morning takes you along quiet trails lined with the vines of the Armagnac region and past farm houses. An alternative route leads to the hamlet of Séviac and its Gallo-Roman site (baths and 4th century mosaic). Passing by the village of Lamothe, with its 13th century guard tower, the route continues along a flat path to the former Roman town of Eauze. The Gothic cathedral is worth a visit, while other attractions include the museum with its Roman coin collection, an Andalucian style bullring and numerous historic houses.
Distance 17km/10.6mi, +241m/791ft, -198m/650ft
Day 6 - To Nogaro (6hrs)
Before leaving Eauze take the time to stroll around this Gers town, from the slender steeple of Saint Luperc to the half-timbered house called 'la maison dite de Jeanne d'Albret'. The route continues today on a fairly flat trail through vines, walnut groves and open countryside. In Manciet, about half way along the day's walk, there is a bullring used for cattle races, which are held on the 2nd Sunday in September to coincide with the village fete. Passing the church of St Jean Baptiste de la Commanderie de Saint Christie de l'Armagnac there are some small descents and ascents before the path leads into Nogaro. Its name is taken from Nogarium which means 'a place planted with walnuts'. The town has a bullring and a collegiate 12th Century Romanesque church.
Distance 20km/12.4mi, +338m/1109ft, -364m/1194ft
Day 7 - Final stage to Aire sur l'Adour (7-8hrs)
Continue on a trail through forest of Maritime pine, oak and chestnut with much of the day along roads (low traffic). Along the route you pass by some interesting bridges and hamlets before reaching Aire sur l'Adour. Aire sur l'Adour is separated into two parts; the lower section which is by the river and dominated by the cathedral of St Jean Baptiste, and the high town or Mas d'Aire which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie, where a Benedictine monastery once stood.
The trip concludes on arrival in Aire sur l'Adour (the night in Aire is not included)
Distance 27km/16.8mi, +373m/1224ft, -434m/1424ft
We can assist with a post tour night in Aire sur l'Adour or the nearby town of Barcelonne du Gers - please ask for our rates. If you don't book the night's accommodation with us we will let you know where to collect your luggage.
Or you can continue on the Way of St James to St Jean Pied de Port.
Location

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