Summary of Walks in 2018
1. Ju Belloc (8 ms)
2. Sabazan (7 kms)
3. Blaziert (10 kms)
4. Valence-sur-Baise (12 kms)
5. Bazian – Petit Tour (5 kms) and Grand Tour (11.5 kms)
6. Caupenne d’Armagnac (11.5 kms)
Summary of Walks in 2019
7. Sos (8 kms)
8. Lagraulet (12 kms)
9. Aignan (6k)/Gellenave (5k)/Termes d’Armagnac (5k)
10. Vic Fezensac (10.5 kms and 7.5 kms)
11. Castera Verduzan (8 kms and 5.5 kms)
12. Montesquiou (13 kms with variant 4.5 kms)
13. Lavardens (10 kms with variant 5 kms)
14. Montestruc-sur-Gers (11.5 kms with variant 6.5 kms)
15. Larressingle/Vopillon (5kms+2kms+6.5kms)
Summary of Walks in 2020
16. Castelnau d’Avignon/Aurens (6 kms + 8 kms)
17. Viella (5 kms)
2018 saw the introduction of our newest activity – Walking. Unfortunately, due to such a wet start to the year, we weren’t able to actually start walking until July which was most unusual for the Gers!
We aim to meet up, walk and talk at least once a month and sometimes with a picnic afterwards. Everyone is welcome including partners and dogs. We also try to re-walk the previous month’s walk for those that were unable to make the original date.
If you would like to join our group, please contact us using this email
(1) Ju Belloc – 8 kms
For our first walk, we set off on Friday 13th July for Ju Belloc. This was an easy circular walk (about 8 kms) and took no more than 2.5 hours to complete.
The walk started at the ‘Maison de l’Eau’ in Ju Belloc and continued through a pretty Nature Reserve that used to be a donkey sanctuary. We were disappointed to see that the donkeys were no longer there but we did see some on our walk in the fields! The Reserve is very well organised with good footpaths/tracks to follow. We then skirted along the River Adour and lake following the Greenwich Meridian Line and turned off towards Belloc. We then travelled back northwards parallel to the D173 on footpaths towards our starting point. We passed by some pretty flora and fauna as we walked through ancient woodlands and saw the ancient ‘lavoir’ and mill near Ju Belloc.
(2) Sabazan – 7 kms
For our second LLC walk on Friday 10th August, we walked an easy (7kms) circular walk around Sabazan near Aignan. Sabazan is a pretty little village with its half moat which dominates the valley of the Midour. On our walk, we saw excellent views of the valley and the Pyrenees. We passed by the lovely old 15th century church of St John the Baptist (some of the inside is classified 13th century) and also some of the vineyards of St Mont. Wine tasting is available at the Chateau and winery. We also passed close by to the Palmeraie de Sarthou.
We were a small group and the weather was excellent for walking – not too hot nor cold. We greatly enjoyed our walk with fantastic views and good company.
(3) Blaziert – 10 kms
For our third walk which took place on Friday 7th September, we walked a slightly more challenging easy circular walk of 10 kms from Blaziert. Blaziert is a very pretty hill-top village located between Condom and Lectoure and has a ‘4 Fleuri’ rating. It is also on the meridian line and has a unique ‘cadran solaire’ with its very large sundial. We passed through ancient woodlands, lakes, vineyards and beneath the Chateau de Mons with its fine history. A very picturesque and varied walk.
(4) Valence-sur-Baise – 12 kms
The fourth LLC walk took place on Friday 5th October and started at the ancient and interesting Flaran Abbey near Valence-sur-Baise. It was slightly longer at nearly 12 kms but a moderately easy circular walk. We followed tracks through ancient woodlands and visited the well-kept ancient Graziac lock on the River Baise. We then continued onto the small village of Herret (village fleuri) with its aerodrome. Along the ridge there are fabulous views of the Gers countryside. We then continued to head back towards Valence and the Abbaye de Flaran passing through the hamlet of Canonge with far reaching views of Valence, the Abbey, various chateaux and chapels.
(5) Bazian – 11.5 kms and 5 kms
For our next LLC walk in November, we are doing TWO walks – one in the morning starting at 10.30 am which is an easy circular walk of about 5 kms and the other is a longer walk starting at 14.00 – a moderate circular walk of about 11.5 kms. Walkers are invited to do one or both if they are feeling fit enough!
Bazian is an interesting medieval village situated on the D174 (just off the D34 Vic Fezensac/Montesquiou road. Both walks off fantastic panoramic views across the Valleys of the Guirou and l’Auzone. The shorter walk passes old ruins including ancient mills and gives a flavour for the longer walk.
The longer walk passes through ancient forests, a peppered landscape with an abundance of ancient windmills and ruins with jaw-dropping panoramic views along the ridge before returning on the old ancient road back into Bazian village. The conical ancient mills had sails that could turn and change direction depending on the winds – like a tree – and were a sign of wealth for the area during that epoch.
(6) Caupenne d’Armagnac – 11.5 kms
Our last walk for 2018 took place on Friday 28th December. It was a moderate circular walk of 11.5 kms (with a variant of 8 kms) starting at the small village of Caupenne d’Armagnac which is located about 5 kms from Nogaro.
We walked past the church and the ancient ‘lavoir’ following a small lane. Heading up towards the tracks, we passed a very large ‘wetland’ nature reserve which wasn’t at all wet so unfortunately no migrating birds to see but it is possible to walk-around!
This was fairly flat walking (unusual for the Gers!) and we did see distant views of the Nogaro aerodrome and racing circuit en route. We continued northerly towards Salles d’Armagnac and once we had crossed the Midou we did start to climb and then we made our way back to Caupenne.
2019
(7) Sos – 8 kms
The first walk of 2019 took place on Friday 4th January and it was an easy, circular 8kms. Sos is just over the border in the department of Lot and Garonne (between Gabarret and Poudenas). We met ouside the Post Office in the main square (which has greatly been improved over recent years). Sos is famed for its night food market in the summer where local producers gather on each Wednesday evening in July and August.
We set off from the village centre passing the Marie and Cemetery on the way and cutting through to another small lane heading towards the Old Mill. We then continued along a track into ancient woodlands where we followed a dried up stream onto a stoney track leading out to the main road (D109 Reaup/Sos). We then continued on this road for about 300m before turning off towards the hamlet of St Martin and heading back into Sos.
(8) Lagraulet – 12 kms (with variants (1) @ 8 kms and (2) @ 10 kms)
Lagraulet is a pretty hill-top village situated between Gondrin and Montreal-du-Gers. From either Gondrin or Montreal, take the D113 and turn-off at the St Lannes crossroads onto the D254.
The longer walk is 12 kms; Variant (1) is about 8 kms and Variant (2) is about 10kms. The walk takes us into the Gers countryside with some outstanding views passing through two hamlets and by two mills and a lot of friendly horses! But, in order to get back into Lagraulet, there is a steep incline at the end! Variant (1) does NOT use this route back into the village and is therefore much easier. The longer walk should take us no more than 3.5 hours and is 70%/30% tracks/lanes. The sun did actually shine on us and the temperature was very convivial for walking. We ended up having our lunch in a ‘luxury’ hide complete with electricity and guttering!! We all enjoyed this walk including the dogs!
(9) Aignan (6k)/Bouzon-Gellenave (5k)/Termes d’Armagnac (5k)
For our next walk, we have a series of 3 circular walks very close to each other and the theme is ‘lakes and forest’. The dogs will love them and we will too! None are very long and most of the walks are on woodland trails. They will take place on Friday 8th March at 11.00 am at the Aignan lake for the start of the first walk.
1. Aignan – 6 kms (Estimated time < 2h)
This walk takes us from the lake of Aignan through the pretty forest and out on a ridge where we have fantastic views of both Aignan and Sabazan. This is also a good place for our picnic lunch. There is a café but it may not be open out of season.
2. Bouzon-Gellenave – 5 kms (Estimated time 1.5h – start time 14.00h)
Just up the road from Aignan off the D48 lies Gellenave. We follow a pretty forest trail below the church of St Go and up to the sweet chapel of Bouzonnet. We then cut through the vineyards with more splendid views of Sabazan and the Aignan ridge where we have just left!
3. Termes d’Armagnac – 5 kms (Estimated time 1.5h – start time 16.00h)
Just up the road from Bouzon-Gellenave again on the D48 is Termes d’Armagnac. It is known for its medieval festival/enactments in July. From the medieval chateau/tower, we follow a track across fields into the woodlands and continue along another ridge with fabulous views before returning back to the village.
These are 3 separate walks and we will have to drive between them but you do have a choice to do any or all of them. I would suggest that you bring something to eat if you are planning on all 3!
10. Vic Fezensac – (10.5 kms and 7.5 kms)
Pleasant countryside walk with some vistas – This was scheduled for the morning starting at 11.00 am. This was a moderate circular walk of 10.5 kms heading northwards out from Vic into the countryside using tracks but there was some on-road walking in quiet lanes. There was also a variant of 7 kms on this walk which cuts through the middle! There were distant views of the village of Gimat with its chateau. A pretty walk with many species of orchids along the way.
Riverside/countryside walk – This moderate circular walk of 7.5 kms started at 14.15 and we headed out to the east of Vic towards the River Osse. We then headed north tracking the river for about 2 kms before turning towards Marambat with its impressive church. We then continued along the ridge back towards Vic with some good views en route.
11. Castera Verduzan (8 kms and 5.5 kms)
Castera Verduzan is famed for its casino and thermal spa.
This was a moderately easy circular walk which started at 10.30 and are departure point was behind the marie. We continued along a track parallel to the main D930 (Condom/Auch) road which we then crossed to continue up to Old Castera – a pretty hamlet with its ancient church and impressive views. We then continued into the countryside (more good views) and passed through the hamlets of Peyrouau and Mounouat before heading back towards the centre of Castera.
The afternoon walk started at 14.30 and we continued towards the ancient hamlet of Old Verduzan. Before the village, we turned off and walked through the fields into the countryside. We then mounted a steep incline to be rewarded with spectacular views of Old Castera and Old Verduzan/Comte. We continued along this ridge before descending back into Comte and to our starting point.
12. Montesquiou (13 kms with variant 4.5 kms
The walk started at 10.30 am from the pretty village of Montesquiou. We chose to walk the shorter variant route as the weather was getting hotter! We passed through the very ancient porte (one of the oldest in the Gers) into the main street taking us through the village and continued past the Auberge (very good food) to walk part of the Compostello route which we re-joined later. We continued through a little hamlet and then downhill with good views of the Pyrenees back to the Compostello route and then back into the village.
13. Lavardens (10 kms with variant of 5 kms)
The walk starts at the interesting hill-top village of Lavardens with is dominant Chateau and church which can be seen from much of the walk. We head out west of the village into the countryside and up to the Chateau d’Eau with splendid views in amongst the sunflower fields. We then walk back towards the village and continue uphill heading east and out towards the Chapel of St Marie and the ancient twin moulins with more excellent views. We then continue along the valley of la Guzerde and head back towards Lavardens passing the old lavoir en route with its picnic area and return to the village.
14. Montestruc-sur-Gers (11.5 kms with variant 6.5 kms)
This walk starts in the medieval village of Montestruc-sur-Gers with its ancient tower of Guet and typical Gascogne houses and continues uphill to the ridge with good views. The walk is mainly track (80/20 roads) and we pass ancient forest (Carmail) and follow the track for about 4.5 kms north towards Fleurance before turning off towards the old church of Lagarde. We then start heading southwards where we can see the Hammeau des Etoiles with its fine visitor centre, telescope and planetary dome which dominates the landscape for quite a distance. We continue to the hamlet of Tustet before returning back towards Montestruc.
15. Larressingle (5kms)/Pont d’Artigues (2 kms)/Vopillon (6.5 kms)
Our October walk started in the 13th century fortified hilltop village of Larressingle which is ranked amongst the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ also known as ‘Petite Carcassonne’ with its interesting and extensive history.
From the village, we passed by the ‘Cite of Medieval Machines’ (used in enactments) and headed onto a track leading us away from the village passing by a lake en route through the shady woods. We then picked up the ‘Compostello’ route (from Condom) and continued on this uphill shady track to the crossroads (fantastic panoramic views) and then downhill towards the ‘Pont d’Artigues’. A famous bridge built in the 12th century over the River Osse protected by UNESCO (since 1998) and crossed by many pilgrims over the centuries. Restoration has recently been completed in 2016.
The second part of the walk then takes us onto the very small pretty village of Vopillon to the southwest of Larressingle. The route takes us into the ancient woodland and up onto the ‘voie verte’; VTT cycle route from Condom to Gondrin before heading back into the village and re-tracing our steps back up to Larressingle.
2020 Walks
16. Castelnau d’Avignon (6 kms)/Aurens (8 kms)
This walk was originally scheduled for November 2019 but due to the very wet weather we were unable to walk it so it was re-scheduled as our first walk of the New Year 2020. We start at the pretty hilltop village of Castelnau d’Auvignon perched on a ridge overlooking the Auvignon valley. It was decimated in 1944 and re-built thereafter bearing a grand memorial with patriotism to many local heroes who fought in the resistance. There are many plaques commemorating this period. Castelnau d’Auvignon is located off the Condom/La Romieu road (D41). It is 8 kms from Condom and about 5 kms west from La Romieu. The village is also on the St Jacques de Compostelle route and there are many outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
From the village, we take the St Jacques de Compostelle path up to the pretty chapel of Ste Germaine which has been and still is a resting place for pilgrims. There are outstanding views back towards Castelnau and of the surrounding countryside. We then continue on to ‘les Trois Bornes’ where we eventually leave the Compostelle route and head back towards Castelnau.
The second part of the walk continues along another variation of the Compostelle route towards Aurens with good views of Blaziert in the distance. We continue past an ancient chapel used by the Knights Templar but now privately owned. Still on the Compostelle route, we head northwards before turning off and skirting a lake and then continuing our walk back towards Castelnau along the ridge with more excellent views.
17. Viella (5 kms)
For our February walk, we headed south of Riscle to the largish village of Viella in the heart of the St Mont wine area. From the departure point after about 0.5 kms, we continue through the vineyards and towards the lake. Then we snake uphill in the woods (a little challenging in places!) where we pick up the rural tracks and head towards some houses before turning off and continuing downhill/uphill towards the Chateau of Viella. In the Chateau grounds, we found a ‘tunnel of vines’ and a very sweet tree house made from an old oak barrel coupled with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Pyrenees. We then made our way past the church back to the starting point.
If you would like to participate in any walks and are not a member of the Walking Group, please email
and your name will be added to the mailing list for any future walks. Partners and dogs are welcomed into the Group and directions/maps will be emailed to you.
We would be delighted to welcome you to our group.
Gascogne Ladies Club (GLC) 