Camino Le Puy Way: Stage 5

Arrive in Lectoure and settle into your comfortable hotel. Spend some time looking around this very attractive town which was once an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Originally the capital of the Lomagne region, it was once the base of the Counts of Armagnac and there is much to discover here, such as the 15th century cathedral, the town hall and the Gallo-Roman museum.

This morning head towards Marsolan, where you can find the remains of l’Hôpital St Jacques at the entrance to the village. It is worth stopping here as the view from the terrace over the Auchie Gascon and the surrounding countryside is superb. Once past Marsolan continue on following a track downhill until you come across the Chapelle d’Abrin, a former commandery of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem and now a private house.

Pass a lake and go through some woods, before arriving in La Romieu, which takes its  name from the romieux or pilgrims that used to pass through. This village has an enormous church comparative to its size, which indicates it’s former importance. The cloisters in the church are well worth a visit.     

On departing from La Romieu, and as you walk, there will be terrific views over the surrounding countryside as in this part of La Gers the landscape is very open. After a short climb you will reach the small village of Castelnau-sur-l’Auvignon and the Chapelle Sainte-Germaine de Soldanum, the remains of a former monastery. Here is a good place to take a rest before continuing onto Condom, a medieval town.

The highlight in Condom is the Cathedral of St Pierre, built at the end of the 14th century, which has an ornately carved entrance and the outside of which is slightly unusual in style. Take time here to wander through the narrow streets of the old town, perhaps stopping in a local café for an aperitif.

Le Carbon is your first point of call today and it is perhaps worth taking a slight detour (15 minutes in each direction) to get to the tiny fortified town of Larresingle. This was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and when you are here you will see that little has changed and it is like you are back in medieval times.

Today you will also cross the Pont d’Artigues, originally a Roman bridge over the River Osse and also pass by the oldest church in this region, Eglise de Routges. Notice the small door at the side of the church which was used as an entrance by Cagots, an outcast population who lived segregated lives until the end of the 19th century due to the fact that they may have been leprous, unclean, or bearers of evil. Arrive in Montreal du Gers, your overnight stop.

This morning you may like to spend some time discovering Montreal du Gers, a typical bastide town and on the northern limits of the Gers department. This town has a classic arcaded market place, ramparts and many interesting houses. From here walk to Lamothe and view its 13th century guard tower. Continue on through quiet countryside and vineyards before arriving in Eauze, a former Roman colony and now the capital of Armagnac.

As you depart from Eauze walk with the church on your right and then continue down a minor road and along a grassy track. Pass by a small farm before arriving in Manciet which has a rural bullring used for cattle races. Pass an interesting church, formerly belonging to the Order of the Knights of Malta and by an 18th century milestone that has a Malteses cross.

Arrive into Nogaro, which takes its name from Nogarium, meaning a place planted with walnuts.This small town was established in the 11th century and has a Romanesque church and a bullring.

Initially pass by the small farms of La Grange, Bidet and Micoulas. Perhaps you would like to stop for a shady rest in the church porch of Lanne-Soubiran before perhaps having lunch in the in Barcelonne du Gers.

After lunch is the last stretch and here vineyards become rarer and the landscape changes to an area that is tree covered with maritime pines, oaks and chestnuts. Arrive into Aire sur l’Adour, an ancient town of two parts and your final destination today.

Bid farewell to the Camino Le Puy today. After breakfast check out of your hotel and make your onward journey.