You also have the opportunity to take off with the Gascony hot air balloons, visit the pastel dye works in Lectoure, walk along the Camino de Santiago, or rent an electric mountain bike to explore the countryside.
Lectoure, labeled a “Station Verte” (Green Resort), offers many marked hiking and mountain biking trails. These routes wind through unspoiled landscapes, between valleys, rivers, and authentic heritage, providing a full immersion into the natural beauty of the Gers region.
Historical and Cultural Heritage: A Journey Through Time
Lectoure is rich in history and architecture. Highlights include:
Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais Cathedral: Overlooking the medieval fortifications, it reflects the city’s religious importance.
E. Camoreyt Archaeological Museum: Home to collections tracing the local history.
Lectoure Thermal Baths (Valvital): Offering relaxation and wellness in a historic setting.
The Village of Antique Dealers: A treasure trove for vintage and antiques lovers.
Mountain Biking and Hiking: Discovering the Gascon Landscape
For cycling enthusiasts, the marked trail “In the Footsteps of the Pilgrims” offers an immersion through hills scattered with wheat, sunflowers, vineyards, and orchards. This route showcases the charm of the Lomagne while enjoying nature.
Electric mountain bikes can be rented at the Lectoure Tourist Office.
The bikes are of good quality, and the prices are affordable.
Lectoure is an excellent starting point for electric MTB rides, offering varied scenery between hills, valleys, and typical Gers villages.
Here are four different routes, suitable for electric MTB, all starting and ending in Lectoure:
Coteaux and Gers Circuit (≈ 35 km, difficulty: moderate)
Route: Lectoure → Marsolan → Saint-Martin-de-Goyne → Lectoure
Highlights:
Gentle climbs and descents with beautiful views of the Gers Valley
Passage through Marsolan, a charming Gascon village
Small roads and farm tracks
Loop to the Baïse and the Castles (≈ 40 km, difficulty: intermediate)
Route: Lectoure → Saint-Avit-Frandat → La Romieu → Lectoure
Highlights:
Crossing the Baïse valley with some technical sections
Possible visit to the village of La Romieu and its collegiate church
A mix of roads and forest trails
Camino de Santiago Circuit (≈ 50 km, difficulty: challenging)
Route: Lectoure → Castet-Arrouy → Miradoux → Flamarens → Lectoure
Highlights:
Follows part of the Camino de Santiago (GR65)
Shaded forest paths and beautiful panoramic views over the hills
Possible visit to Flamarens Castle
Ride through the Gers Valleys (≈ 45 km, difficulty: intermediate)
Route: Lectoure → Lagarde-Fimarcon → Terraube → Lectoure
Highlights:
Passes through the fortified village of Terraube
Smooth tracks with some sustained climbs
Stunning views of the valleys and local crops
Hot Air Ballooning: An Unforgettable Experience
Montgolfières de Gascogne offers hot air balloon flights departing from Lectoure. Flying over the Gascon hills at sunrise or sunset reveals a spectacular view of sunflower, rapeseed, and corn fields, along with the surrounding hillsides. This activity is open to all, from age 7 to 97, and offers a truly unique connection with nature.
Visit and Tasting at Château Arton
Guided walk through the vineyards
Tour of the Armagnac aging cellars
Guided tasting of our signature wines in our private garden overlooking the vineyards
Inspired by our ancestor d’Artagnan, we undertake our mission with courage. Practicing permaculture for 15 years, our vineyard aims to redefine the standards of Côtes de Gascogne. Our white, red, and rosé wines delicately express the character of our Haut-Armagnac terroir.
Astronomy: Gazing at the Starry Sky
The clear skies of the Gers offer ideal conditions for stargazing. Its wide rural areas, far from light pollution, allow astronomy enthusiasts to fully enjoy the starry nights.
In Lectoure, a stargazing evening is offered. The Gers is one of the places with the least artificial light, making its night skies particularly stunning.
A weekly market takes place on Lectoure’s main street every Friday morning, and a night market is held on Monday evenings during summer.
Armagnac Vélorail: A Unique Ride
Near Lectoure, the Armagnac Vélorail offers a fun activity combining sport and discovery. This 13-kilometer round-trip route on a former railway line lets you discover the surrounding nature in an original and enjoyable way.
