Le Puy Camino - Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour

On arrival in the spa town of Lectoure, make your way to your hotel. Built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne, the town has an imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, and a colourful history such as the siege of Louis XI in 1473. If you are here on a Friday there is a fabulous market in the morning showcasing the region's gastronomic delights. Dinner will be at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Leaving Lectoure and the Ger River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan, where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. Continuing through fields and woods, the trail descends gently to La Romieu, classified one of the “most beautiful villages of France”. Here you can visit the 14th century church whose towers resemble a castle and whose cloisters are a 'must-see'. Distance 18.5km/11.5mi, +300m/984ft, -301m/984ft

Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found throughout the area), the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze and the Armagnac 'Noir', where thick black oak woods are found and 57% of the wine crops of Armagnac are located. Condom is one of the principal Armagnac towns and is located at a spur of the rivers Gele and Baise. The key attraction is the Gothic styled cathedral of St Peter's, the last built in the Languedoc style. Distance 13km/8.1mi, +217m/712ft, -316m/1036ft

We recommend taking a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle, which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the 'most beautiful villages in France', referred to by the locals as the "Carcassonne of Gers". Further along the way you pass the Pont d'Artigues, a Romanesque bridge over the Osse. Once the site of a pilgrim hospital and a church, there are no remains of these buildings today. A little further along you come across the Eglise de Routges, the oldest church in the region, before arriving at Montréal-du-Gers. This interesting bastide town, another of the “most beautiful villages of France”, was one of the first English fortified towns of Gascogne (1289). It has a central square surrounded by arcades, the 13th century Church of Ste Marie and historic houses. Distance 17km/10.5mi, +238m/780ft, -209m/685ft

Most of the walking today is flat and across agricultural landscapes intersected by minor roads. The first 10km take you through vineyards and pretty countryside until you reach the hamlet of Lamothe. From here the trail heads down into the valley before a steady uphill takes you gently into the Place d’Armagnac in Eauze. In the third century AD, the city became the capital of the Roman province of Novempopulania. You will also find an archeology museum in the heart of Eauze, where you can discover the trails of the ancient city of Elusa. Other attractions include the Gothic cathedral, an Andalusian style bullring and numerous historic houses including 'la maison dite de Jeanne d'Albret. Own dinner arrangements. Distance 17km/10.6mi, +198m/650ft, -155m/508ft

Today, you will walk on a fairly flat trail through through the vineyards of Armagnac, walnut groves and open countryside. Along the way is the beautiful town of Manciet, an historic point on the Le Puy Camino. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims coming from Auch would meet those walking the Le Puy route. On the second Sunday in September a village fete is held here. Passing the church of St Jean Baptiste de la Commanderie de Saint Christie de l'Armagnac there are some small descents and ascents before the path leads into Nogaro. Its name is taken from Nogarium which means 'a place planted with walnuts'. The town has a bullring and a collegiate 12th Century Romanesque church. Distance 20km/12.4mi, +269m/882ft, -297m/974ft

Today you will mainly be walking alongside cereal crops and farmland, and passing some of the prettiest villages and hamlets on the entire route. On the last stretch vineyards become rarer and the landscape changes to tree-covered, with maritime pines, oaks and chestnuts. There is quite a bit of road walking but not much traffic, mainly tractors. Barcelonne du Gers and Aire sur l’Adour are neighbouring towns by the river Adour. Barcelonne-du-Gers is known for its AOC Saint-Mont wine and its architectural and historical heritage, which bears witness to a rich past. Aire sur l'Adour has a lower section by the river which is dominated by the St Jean Baptiste cathedral, and a high town or Mas d'Aire, which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie, where a Benedictine monastery once stood. Distance to Barcelonne 25km/15.6mi, +207m/679ft, -267m/875ft

The trip concludes after breakfast, or continue on the next stage to St Jean Pied de Port.