Cycling in Gers : between historical sites and Armagnac vineyards (short version)
In the Gers region, a land of adventure and history, go and explore the castles and abbeys, the bastides, the vineyards and the flowery villages. Here, more than anywhere else, culture and relaxation go hand in hand, while enjoying the local gastronomy rich in 1000 flavours. Starting from Auch, capital of the beautiful and rebellious Gascony, you will discover with this cycling tour many historical sites: Auch Cathedral, Flaran Abbey, Romieu Collegiate Church, Saint-Clar Bastide, Lectoure, Eauze the Gallo-Roman capital... and many more. Moreover, we cannot talk about the Gers region without mentioning its terroir, so discovering the local products will hold a special place in this tour: quality restaurants and fine wines are the symbol of a way of living and the trademark of the passionate local producers' know-how. You will have the opportunity to discover it during your cycling wanderings through forests, hills and protected villages, but also during your evening stops. The Gers is also a welcoming land that has learnt how to keep living with the flow of nature. Mankind has always cultivated the fertile valleys with perseverance, therefore keeping the villages lively and protecting the nature. With your family, your friends or as a couple, go and discover the paths, the rivers and the hills, but also the story of the people of Gascony, in the heart of the South-West of France.
Departure
Every day from the beginning of April to the end of October.
For a departure on a different date, consult us.
Booking from 2 people (solo travelers : please contact us).
Price : From 01/04/2025 to 31/10/2025 :
- Price per person for a group of 2 persons : 580€
- Price per person for a group of 3 persons : 525€
- Price per person for a group of 4 persons : 495€
- Price per person for a group of 5 persons : 475€
- Price per person for a group of 6 persons : 460€
Extras/discounts :
- Single room extra : 150€/pers.
- Extra bike + bicycle bags for 4 days : 90€/pers.
- Extra E-bike + bicycle bags for 4 days : 160€/pers.
- Extra night in Auch Bed & Breakfast double room : 65€/pers
- Extra night in Auch Bed & Breakfast single room : 105€/pers
Price includes
- Bed and breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Transfer on Day 5
- Dossier containing maps, route notes
- GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application
- Travel insurance
- Additional transfers
- Dinners
- Bike rental
- Visits : museums, castles, tastings…
- Drinks and picnics
- Booking fees :15€
Day 1 : Beginning of your holiday in Auch
Arrival in
Auch, capital of Gascony, land of the musketeers and of d'Artagnan.
Stroll to discover the city: overlooking the city and the river
Gers, the unique architectural ensemble of the Tour d'Armagnac and
Ste-Marie Cathedral (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are
reminders that the city is a major stop on the pilgrimage to
Santiago de Compostela.
Duration: 2h of
walking
Day 2 : From Auch to Fleurance
Leaving the town, the day's route
leads to Montégut, from where the panorama over the hills opens up,
then on to the village of Montaut les Créneaux, which has kept many
traces of its medieval past. The views of the Pyrenees are
magnificent. After a visit to the castle of Latour, you plunge back
into the Gers valley and reach the town of Fleurance, a 13th
century bastide.
Distance: 35 km, duration : approximately 4h, ascent : +400m,
descent : -450m
Day 3 : From Fleurance to Lectoure
During this stage in the heart of the Lomagne
area, a stop in the superb village of Saint-Clar is a must: this
village is renowned for its main square where a 13th-century wooden
hall is standing. Saint-Clar was built around this square and
offers an untouched medieval architecture, with many half-timbered
houses. On Thursdays a market takes place on the square, that also
welcomes various festivities related to garlic, which is Lomagne's
speciality (possibility to visit the House of Garlic). Your journey
then leads you to Lectoure, a fortified town that stretches out on
a rocky outcrop. The cathedral and the bishop's palace are the most
impressive monuments of the town.
Distance: 37 km, duration: approximately 4h,
ascent: +550m, descent: -450m
OR Distance: 57km, duration: approximately 6h, ascent: +700m,
descent: -600m
Day 4 : From Lectoure to Condom through la Romieu and Flaran (extended version)
A
day where heritage is highlighted, with the collegiate church of La
Romieu and the abbey of Flaran, both of which are classified as
World Heritage sites by UNESCO. You should also pay attention to
Castelnau-Lectourois, Lagarde and its castle perched above the
Archie valley, or the castle of Tauzia. Passing through the village
of Cassaigne, a visit to the cellars and the eponymous castle is a
must. The final stretch towards Condom will be on the "Voie verte
de l'Armagnac", a cycle route which nowadays replaces the old
railway line linking Condom to Eauze.
Distance : 35km, duration : approximately 4h,
ascent : +500m, descent : -600m
OR Distance : 59,5km, duration : approximately 6h, ascent :
+600m, descent : -700m
Day 5 : From Condom to Eauze through Larressingle, Montréal du Gers and Fourcès
Today, we will visit the trio of the "Most
Beautiful Villages of France" in the Gers: Larressingle, which
stands with its ramparts in the middle of the vineyards and whose
houses grouped around the keep castle have preserved their
mullioned windows and arched doorways; Fourcès, a round bastide
with half-timbered houses and arches; and Montréal du Gers, the
first Gascon bastide, created on a rocky spur and where the Gothic
church is partly fortified. At the end of the day, you will also
discover Eauze, a powerful Gallo-Roman capital whose territory
stretched from Bordeaux to Toulouse and up to the Pyrenees!
Transfer to Auch at the end of the day and end of the
trip.
Distance : 38,5km, duration : approximately
4h, ascent : +400m, descent : -300m
OR Distance : 46km, duration : approximately 5h, ascent :
+450m, descent : -350m
This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.
Welcome
On Day 1 at your accomodation in Auch (32), depending on your arrival time.
Dispersion
On Day 5 in Auch (32) at the end of the day, after your transfer.
Level
Level 2/5
Fairly easy to moderate, with two levels of difficulty: sections from 35km to 38,5km with ascents from 400m to 550m for the normal version; sections from 35km to 59,5km with ascents from 400m to 70m for the sporty version.
Accommodation
Bed and breakfast :
1 nights in hotel*** day 1
2 night in hotel** days 2 and 4
1 night in a guesthouse day 3
Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meals are not included, there is a wide choice of restaurants on spot.
- Picnics are not included. Possibility to buy one on spot.
- Drinks are not included.
Luggage porterage
You need to carry a small day sack only with a water bottle, camera, picnic and wind jacket. The main luggage will be transported by vehicle between the different accommodations, it should be easily transportable (see our advices about what to bring and pack).
Supervision
Self-guided cycling tour without a guide.