Hiking tour – The way of Saint James – Lectoure to Aire sur l’Adour

Day 1 – Arrival at LECTOURE

Lectoure sits perched upon a promontory overhanging the Gers Valley. Its long history is evident to modern day man in the many structures that speak of its past. The city was once the Gallic oppidum, an ancient Cybelus worship centre, the headquarters of a diocese, but it was destroyed by the Visigoths during the 10th century. Once rebuilt, it again suffered much damage during the Middle Ages and the wars of the religions. Strolling through the city, you will discover Saint Gervais Cathedral, built during the 14th century, the archaeological museum, which holds a nice collection of “taurobolic“ alters (the most important in the world), and many other monuments and vestiges, all of which remind us of the rich past of the city – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3?star hotel

Day 2 – LECTOURE – LA ROMIEU (19 km – 5-hour walk)

You will leave Lectoure by way of the 13th century Diane’s Fountain, and will cross the Gers. You will walk across green slopes to the hamlet of Espasot and then to the village of Marsolan, which has a lovely 16th century church and square bell-tower. You will continue your hike to the hamlet of Cauboue, where you will turn off towards La Romieu, taking a quick detour by the Romanesque-style Tressens Chapel. Another church of interest is that of La Romieu, sitting in contrast to the open country of Gers. The city was once encircled by fortified walls and moats, of which few remains have been preserved. You will see the main square of the city, decorated by archways and beautiful old homes, as well as the cloister and the eastern tower of the abbey church, the only remnants of the structure built during the 14th century by The Cardinal of Aux, cousin to Pope Clément V. The Cardinal tower is all that remains of his palace. Return by taxi to Lectoure. Dinner, night and breakfast in the same hotel

Day 3 – LA ROMIEU – CONDOM (16 km – 4-hour walk)

Return by taxi to La Romieu. You will pick up the path of Saint James exactly where you left it yesterday and will continue on to the hamlet of Montravail. A little further on, you will cross the Abrin Chapel and a few other ancient structures, remains of the 12th century community of knights called the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Having passed by Aurens and its Romanesque church you will reach Castelnau sur l’Auvignon. Castelnau was severely damaged during the last war and only one of the towers has been preserved on the château, located near the 14th century church. You will cross the Auvignon Valley and walk up to the hamlet of Le Bardieu and the Romanesque chapel Sainte Germaine, situated on the opposite hillside. You will pass near Le Château Busca before reaching Condom, an old city which was once the headquarters of an important Benedictine abbey. We recommend visiting Saint Pierre Cathedral, an imposing Gothic monument of the 16th century, with a square bell-tower and a lovely cloister. You might also stroll through the old streets of this medieval city and discover the private hotels and the Armagnac Museum. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3?star hotel

Day 4 – CONDOM – MONTREAL (20 km – 5.30-hour walk)

After crossing La Baïse, a river that flows through Condom and helped the city develop an independent economy with the transportation of Armagnac to Bordeaux, you will plunge into the beautifully sloping landscape of vineyards to find the quaint fortified village of Larresingle. As people have been doing for 700 years, you will cross over the Osse River on the Artigues Bridge, a one of a kind Romanesque bridge of uneven arches! You will skirt around the hamlet of Routgès and in front of a chapel, and will cross the hamlet of Pagès before joining the Château Lassalle Baqué and, finally, Montréal. This little village is situated on a picturesque spot overlooking the Auloue Valley. Almost entirely destroyed during the wars of the religions, it still holds a lovely fortified Gothic church and a nice public square surrounded by old homes. Transfer by taxi to Chateau de Fources. This charming fortified village, built by the English in the 13th century, is located alongside the Auzoue River and was constructed concentric in shape, with all the houses encircling an ancient château. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a charming guesthouse (chateau)

Day 5 – MONTREAL – EAUZE (18 km – 5-hour walk)

Transfer by taxi to Montréal where you will join the path of Santiago… though not for long. 2.5 km to the south, you will come upon a Gallo-Roman villa, a sumptuous 4th century residence, with a gorgeous pool decorated in multicoloured mosaics of marble! Once again on the pilgrimage route, you will continue through the countryside to the hamlet of Lamothe, where you will catch an ancient railway that will lead you to Eauze, a charming little village famous for its Armagnac liquor. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel

Day 6 – EAUZE – NOGARO (20 km – 5.30 hour walk)

You will walk back to Eauze. You will pass through the Place d’Armagnac, surrounded by arcaded homes, including that of Jeanne d’Albret. The square takes on life and animation during the market days. This stage brings you through the department of Gers, walking through valleys and over vineyard-covered slopes, through corn fields and forests. You will reach the village of Manciet, once home to a hospital for pilgrims. You will next arrive in Nogaro, a village built along the length of the main road. You will visit the Sainte Austinde Church and the ruins of the cloister. A taxi picks you up to take you to a charming guesthouse, a manor in an Armagnac winery – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 7 – LANNE SOUBIRAN – AIRE SUR L’ADOUR (24 km – 6.30 hour walk)

A taxi drops you at Lanne Soubiran. You will cross the hilly countryside to Arblade le Bas and descend into the lush valley of l’Adour, passing by Barcelonne du Gers. You will then arrive in Aire sur l’Adour. The lower city holds the Saint Jean Baptiste Cathedral, the ancient rectory (today the town-hall), and a beautiful octagonal grain market. You will walk up to the Sainte Quitterie Church to see its lovely Gothic portal and, in the crypt, the gorgeous 4th century Sainte Quitterie sarcophagus of white marble. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel