Enjoy a rich cultural heritage and visit a UNESCO World Heritage church in La Romieu
Be bewitched by pretty villages every day
Discover the land of Foie Gras and Armagnac brandy
Indulge yourself in en-suite rooms and with a high level of comfort all along the way.

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Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

The Via Podiensis or Le Puy Route was taken for the first time in 950 AD when the archbishop of Le Puy-en-Velay walked to the tomb of Saint James, opening the first non-Spanish route to Santiago. Along Le Puy Route, modern walkers enjoy various incredible landscapes and a rich medieval architectural heritage, as the Camino runs through some of the most typical rural French areas, and crossing towns and cities full of history.
Le Puy Route begins in Le Puy-en-Velay, a city set in a volcanic landscape, 130 kilometres South West of Lyon, in France. It continues through south-western France to the foothills of the Pyrenees, where this Camino joins up with the French Way.

From Lectoure to Aire-sur-l’Adour, the 5th section of Le Puy route brings us deep into lands of tradition and undulated cultivated landscapes. Here, the Camino starts in Le Gers département, both home to foie gras and to vineyards producing the famous Armagnac brandy. Approaching Aire-sur-l’Adour, the landscape gradually changes into crop fields and pinewoods as we enter Les Landes area. Architectural heritage and history are also part of the journey, almost everywhere along the Camino! We have split the walking days so short walks alternate with more demanding ones, so anybody with an average level of fitness can complete it.

Day 1 - Lectoure
Lectoure is a pretty fortified town that keeps history alive and where visitors can take time to visit the old impressive cathedral, the castle of the Earls of Armagnac, the 18th tannery, the archeological museum and more. Visitors can also treat themeselves in the natural spas or simply enjoy strolling around the narrow streets of this market town set in the Gers valley .

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities

Day 2 – Lectoure to La Romieu (19km, 4h45, +250m -150m)
Leaving Lectoure, we head down to river Le Gers which we cross over before conitnuing through the countryside. We then reach Marsolan and its Roman church. It is then a very enjoyable stroll between woodlands and open countryside until we reach La Romieu and its UNESCO World Heritage collegial church.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3 – La Romieu to Montreal du Gers (33km, 8h30, +150m -250m)
Today is a long day and while the first half is mainly spent on dirt tracks through the gently undulated country dotted with lakes and streams, the second half brings history into our day. Indeed, passing by Condom and Larresingle (known as "the little Carcassone"), lovers of old stone buildings will be conquered. Finally, we arrive in Montreal du Gers and its timblering houses, proud to be the biggest vineyard of Armagnac, the famous brandy.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 – Montreal du Gers to Eauze (16km, 4h, +100m -80m)
From Montreal du Gers, Le Puy Route heads South towards Eauze. The first 8 kilometres are spent between country and vines and the first hamlet we cross is Lamothe. The Camino then runs through the quiet vineyards and countryside of Armagnac. The walk ends up on Place d'Armagnac, in Eauze, another beautiful village and official capital city of Armagnac since 1802!

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 – Eauze to Nogaro (20km, 5h +90m -120m)
We continue through the vineyards of Armagnac to reach the pretty town of Manciet, an historical point on the Camino as this is where, in the Middle Ages, Pilgrims coming from Auch met those walking on Le Puy Route. The route then runs through the countryside and at the end of the day, we arrive in Nogaro.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 – Nogaro to Aire-sur-l'Adour (30km, 7h30 +120m -100m)
Today, the Landes' influence is more and more obvious as vines become rarer and pine trees start to appear. We start our walking day mainly walking through cereal fields. The day is also ponctuated with some of the prettiest villages and hamlets of the entire section with the like of Lanne-Soubiran, and Barcelonne-du-Gers. At the end of the walk, we enter Les Landes département in another charming town rich in history: Aire-sur-l'Adour.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 – Aire-sur-l'Adour
After breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities
Meal: Breakfast

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• En-suite Rooms
• Half-board during the cycle
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinners in Lectoure and Aire-sur-l'Adour
• Transfer from/to airport