Gasques walks

A strip of chalky rock runs down from the Quercy highlands to the outskirts of Valence d’Agen. On this short route, you’ll wander over hill and dale. You’ll pass by a few old wash houses. The first, below the village, still has its stone benches for washing clothes. The others, halfway along the route, on either side of the road, are overgrown with vegetation or water lilies. (Excerpt from “Emilie’s Trails in the 82” by Randoéditions).

This circular route, which leads to the Chapel of Saint-Martin and the streams of Saint-Martin and Néguevieille, with large wooded areas, offers numerous views of the valleys to the north and south.

Thirty-fifth stage of the Way of St James. On this stage, you enter the Gers via Lomagne, this land of steep hills also known as ‘humpbacked Gascony’. This world-famous gastronomic region, home to foie gras and Armagnac, is also a land of captains, with its castles, fortified farms, redoubts, bastides, strongholds and more. Who hasn’t heard of d’Artagnan! You will follow pretty paths running parallel to the road, lined with fruit trees (apples, pears, cherries, figs, hazelnuts) and cypresses.

This hike is accessible to most people and follows aPR® marked in yellow and parts ofthe GR® 65 marked in white and red. All this around one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Whether on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback, with friends, with family, or on your own, this route is accessible to everyone. The Circuit des Vergers is one of the hiking routes of the Sentiers du Brulhois. Located in the commune of Donzac, it mainly passes through orchards, of course, but also vineyards and forests.

Boudou, a small, welcoming village, has always been on the Way of St James. With your back to the river, you will walk through the hills, navigating both the ridges and the valley floors. In the heart of this fruit-growing region, orchards and vineyards form vast geometric patterns. You will also discover small irrigation lakes, dovecotes and, above all, the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Pierre d'Ax (12th and 15th centuries). (Excerpt from Les sentiers d'Émilie dans le 82 by JP Siréjol).

The panoramic viewpoint at Boudou offers a slightly elevated view of the confluence of the Tarn and Garonne rivers, the poplar groves and the Saint-Nicolas lake.

Circular route around Saint-Antoine, a stopover village on the Way of St James between Moissac and Lectoure, visited by 15,000 pilgrims each year.

Thirty-fourth stage of the Way of St James. For this recovery stage, you follow the banks of the Tarn, the Garonne and the Golfech Canal for 15 km. After this section, it is almost entirely flat all the way to Espalais. A final short climb will, however, be necessary to reach Auvillar.

A lovely walk through fields and small woods, along paths lined with Causse oaks and box trees. Numerous springs bubble up at the edge of the plateau, forming fountains and wash houses. The limestone outcrops and the colour of the stones used in the houses are characteristic of Quercy Blanc and the Pays de Serres.

From Grandfonds, in the commune of Castelculier, towards the old castles of Castelculier, Vieux Bourg and Laclotte, with its monument to those shot on 7 June 1944, including a detour through the woods.

Starting from the charming village of Cuq and its mill, this route to Fals offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside with several lovely climbs.

Thirty-third stage of the Way of St James. The GR®65 is a bit of a rollercoaster ride on this rather long stage. After the first climb, don’t forget to look back and admire the village of Lauzerte in the distance. Pigeon lofts and chapels, as well as vineyards and orchards, follow one after another. You gradually leave the Quercy Blanc behind, heading for the banks of the Tarn and the town of Moissac, which is well worth a visit.

Route revised on 17/08/2023 to avoid paths that may be blocked by vegetation. This route runs along both sides of a ridge, partly following the Way of St James. On one side, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the town of Lauzerte. On the other side, you’ll visit the magnificent Chapel of Saint-Serrnin du Bosc and its old cemetery, situated at the bottom of a wild valley. As you cross from one side to the other, you’ll see a remarkable dovecote opposite the beautiful Chartron residence (a former priory).

A circular route on either side of the Masse Valley with two steep climbs, ending gently around the lake.

A circular route from the church in Auradou to the plateau and wooded hills.

This circular route crosses the village then descends into the valley of the Estague stream before returning via the Pech de Bétou.

A short circular route alternating between roads and paths between Monbalen-mairie and Monbalen-village. This route passes through the Caoulet valley to the north and Saint-Antoine de Ficalba to the west before reaching the old village of Monbalen to the south.

Thirty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. For this stage, due to the rain and mud making the paths difficult and slippery, I preferred to avoid the town of La Romieu. You are under no obligation to follow my route and, weather permitting, you can stay on theGR®65and visit La Romieu. On this somewhat long stretch, you begin to catch sight, in the distance, of the Pyrenees mountain range and the inevitable crossing into Spain looming ahead! After passing through Lectoure, the melon capital, there are ascents and descents as you move from one valley to another.