In the footsteps of the Meilhan Maquis fighters

This route will introduce you to the Meilhan Maquis, the best-known and most tragic feat of arms from the Second World War in the Gers department. You will also discover the Lasseube Chapel, situated in a secluded clearing amongst the oak trees.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.53 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 640 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 630 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,043 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 784 ft

Description of the walk

Below the town hall, the PR® starting sign is located near the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the church. Take the street in front of the town hall. Continue left along the road, passing a fountain.

(1) In Loumagne, continue left along the stony path, which becomes a dirt track, until you reach a Fork in the road.

(2) Turn left and join the D291.

(3) Take the road on the left, then, at Terraube, turn right.

(4) Continue to the right along the Chemin de Traoués. At the water tower, turn right onto the grassy track. Walk alongside the woodland on your right. When you reach a field, head down to the right along the woodland, skirting the field. Reach the bottom of the valley and a track (on the left, a memorial stone to a fallen resistance fighter).

(5) Turn right to rejoin the D291 (Route du Maquis de Meilhan) and follow it to the left. Pass in front of the memorial site. Reach the junction at the top of the hill.

(6) Turn right onto the grassy track towards Laumo.

(7) At the small road, turn right. At the farm, continue to the left and head for the Chapel of Lasseube (Chapelle Saint-Laurent), where two members of the Maquis were shot dead.

(8) Retrace your steps to rejoin the original path.

(7) Carry on to the right.

(9) You’ll come out onto the D238; follow it to the right! Walk 1.4 km (take care) until you reach a plateau.

(10) Carry on to the right along the Chemin de Monties. Go straight on to Lauzerou and continue along a dirt track for 750 m to return to the original junction.

(2) Take the path back in the opposite direction and head back to the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 817 ft - Town hall car park - Église Sainte)Anne (Gaujan)
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 876 ft - Loumagne
  3. 2 : mi 1.03 - alt. 1,014 ft - Junction of the circular walk
  4. 3 : mi 1.18 - alt. 978 ft - D291 road
  5. 4 : mi 1.47 - alt. 1,043 ft - Traoués Path
  6. 5 : mi 1.8 - alt. 886 ft - Memorial stone
  7. 6 : mi 2.03 - alt. 912 ft - Path to Laumo - Monument du Maquis de Meilhan (Villefranche)
  8. 7 : mi 2.23 - alt. 991 ft - Fork in the road for the Lasseube Chapel
  9. 8 : mi 2.47 - alt. 942 ft - Chapelle Saint-Laurent (Villefranche-d'Astarac)
  10. 9 : mi 2.85 - alt. 935 ft - D238 road
  11. 10 : mi 3.73 - alt. 902 ft - Monties Path
  12. S/E : mi 5.53 - alt. 817 ft - Town hall car park - Église Sainte)Anne (Gaujan)

Notes

Picnic area available in the village of Gaujan.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.