Gers, Coeur Sud-Ouest and Gascony Lomagne Tourist Office
Roadtrip in Gers : a Marvellous Nature Break between Marciac and Lectoure
Land of D’Artagnan, the heart of Gascony and South-West France.
It’s time to take things slow. You have arrived in the land of simple, tasty pleasures where time magically slows down so you can fully enjoy what’s on offer.
To the west of Gers, you’ll find the village of Marciac, renowned for its famous jazz festival which welcomes the greatest international artists. Let’s go for a slow and responsible getaway in the Coeur Sud Ouest, off the beaten track, to savour life and the beauty of Mother Nature!
Day 1
Arrive in Sarragachies for a fascinating visit to the only plot of vines designated as a historical monument. Your expert guide will tell you the story of the century-old vines and ancient grape varieties. The visit ends with a tasting of 3 secret cuvées including one made from wine using these pre-phylloxera vines.
Afterwards, you get on 2 electric scooters to zoom through the vineyards and the hills to the tower of Termes d’Armagnac (6km). A picnic full of delicious products from our region is provided for you to be enjoyed in the park on your arrival.
After a short siesta under the tall trees, you dive into the seigniorial life of the Counts of Armagnac in the 13th century with a visit to the Tour de Termes, its museum, and its village of craftsmen, lasting from 1 hour and a half to 2 hours and a half depending on the season and entertainment available.
From 5pm, you discover your accommodation, a real hidden paradise, offering you total immersion in nature. La Cabane Moncaou (Gîtes de France 3 ears of corn) is nestled in a grove between two plots of organic vines. You benefit from an exceptional panorama viewed in comfort thanks to Sylvie and Pierre who welcome you there. The end of the day promises to be sweet with a free meal cooked on the plancha surrounded by birdsong. Relax into a contemplative and rejuvenating evening.

Armagnac tower and Saint Marie Cathedral © Sasha64f at Shutterstock
Day 2
After having a well-earned lie-in and breakfast on the terrace of your cabin, Sylvie invites you to discover her work in the heart of the vineyards, ending with a tasting of 5 cuvées from the work of cooperative winegrowers committed to the process. In the afternoon, meet for an unusual meal suspended in time at the Ferme aux Buffles You can taste a menu of local products (pâté duck with Armagnac, black pork sausage, etc.) while taking the time to observe the impressive animals. Afterwards, head towards the Maison de l’Eau in Ju-Belloc for a short hike along the paths of the Adour, making the most of the many bird and turtle observation posts. From the west of Gers, now head north to Lomagne, which is nicknamed little French Tuscany. Along the way, don’t hesitate to stop off at Auch, the historic capital of Gascony, or at Flaran Abbey, a Cistercian jewel where you can find the famous Simonow collection (works by artists such as Picasso, Monet and Dalí).
View this post on Instagram
Day 3
The valleys of Lomagne are home to charming wild valleys and little towns hidden in the hills. The historical and natural heritage demands you not only venture there but also linger. Our tourist office provides an armada of VTT-AE that respond to all attacks. With a range of 70km, equipped for trails like asphalt, our bikes are fearless. In silence, with or without effort, pace, climb, slide…
-> Departure from Lectoure
AE-MTBs can be collected from the Tourist Office, located in the heart of old Lectoure. The rich historical heritage of the city is fascinating: the cathedral, the episcopal palace, 3.2km of ramparts, a former hospital, the count’s castle, convents, etc… Your route crosses the city to embark on the GR65 or the Way of Saint Jacques de Compostela. Once you have left Lectoure and its treasures, you begin one of the 43 sections part of GR 65 (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which says a lot about the route’s cultural interest!
VTT-AE – Gascogne Lomagne tourist office
Eco-friendly and trendy pedalling in Gers! Explore the countryside of southwest France. gascogne-lomagne.fr
-> Arrival at La Romieu
Installed in the middle of a large plateau, La Romieu is one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. The Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre, its 14th-century cloister and its paintings in the sacristy are unmissable – a rare collection of Gothic architecture. Wrapped around its emblematic building, this charming village contains many surprises for you to discover!
La Romieu in Gers, a village full of history featuring the amazing Saint Pierre Collegiate Church www.la-romieu.fr
-> Lunch, 12.30pm
L’Etape d’Angéline combines regional cuisine with sometimes unexpected and scholarly influences. For example, the Duo of duck Nems should conquer your locavore heart (products from short circuits on the menu) and your taste buds, activists of the virtues of interbreeding. Nevertheless, local recipes are in the spotlight, defended with finesse and quality! As for the context, what could be better than settling under the arcades, on the central square in front of the famous medieval collegiate church…yes!
Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast in La Romieu – l’Etape d’Angéline Right in the heart of the medieval Gascon village of La Romieu, l’Etape d’Angéline welcomes pilgrims, visitors and lovers of generous, tasty gastronomy. On the road to Santiago de Compostela, a few steps from Lectoure and Condom, stop off at the guest rooms with typical Gers architecture. Do not hesitate to ask for advice: bed-and-breakfast-restaurant-la-romieu.fr
The only Karstic Trail in Gers
A walk to help you digest is a good idea. To do things right, we offer you an 8km trail, unique in the whole department. La Romieu sits at the centre of a Karstic network. What is the Karstic network? A hydrographic network linked to the local limestone rock. With the help of a booklet from the tourist office, you will be able to fully appreciate the various testimonies of this underground miracle.
-> The Coursiana Gardens
This time heading south, less than 500m from the village, you’ll discover over 14 acres of “remarkable garden” (label awarded by the Ministry of Culture in 2005). The 350 or so varieties of roses, the lime tree conservatory, the herb garden, the pond, and the arboretum are all reasons to be ecstatic. A real botanical gem, you will also have the opportunity to taste sorbet made with the fruit grown on-site. Once ripe, the fruit is picked and a few hours later you can enjoy sorbet to die for. The tearoom is in the middle of the gardens so you can savour your sorbet with a stunning view.
Jardins de Coursiana
Welcome to Jardins de Coursiana. Wander through the gardens of Coursiana in La Romieu in the heart of Gascony. Arnaud and Véronique Delannoy welcome you to a superb 14-acre plant complex, a true haven of peace where thousands of plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, etc.) mingle with a wonderful collection of 350 different roses.
www.jardinsdecoursiana.com
-> Mieucas Hill, 8pm
A few turns of the mountain bike-AE later and you are in the town of Marsolan. Perched on a hill, your accommodation is a typical Gascon farmhouse from the 16th century. Look out over organic fields and make use of the outdoor equipment (swimming pool, outdoor games) to enjoy the landscape of “French Tuscany”.
Dinner will be served on-site with the owners providing a table d’hôtes service. On the menu, is family-style cuisine made with produce from the garden and/or nearby suppliers. A Gascon meal where Floc, local cuisine and tradition are in order.
Bed and breakfast in Gers, in Marsolan between Condom and Lectoure near La Romieu Calm, nature, relaxation, well-being, comfort, this is the motto of the Hill of Mieucas… Stay in our 16th-century residence steeped in history. Discovers the history of the former owner through documents (1792 to 1930) reproduced in a book available in each room. Take advantage of the billiards table, old magazines and books, novels and comic strips
Day 4
Breakfast, still in this enchanting setting (La Colline de Mieucas) before getting on your mountain bikes to reach the Domaine du Mirail
-> Domaine du Mirail
A visit and tasting are on the programme. The property has been certified organic for IGP Côtes de Gascogne and AOC Haut Armagnac wines since 2010. Active since the 15th century, Mirail’s vines have been producing delicious wines for many years. This is not the result of chance but the consequence of an ideal terroir, with very high potential, made up essentially of limestone outcrops (Peyrusquet). It’s up to you now – your nose, tastebuds and the rest of your taste arsenal need to get involved!

Mirail © Collection Tourisme Gers/Domaine de Mirail/C. A. Hochman
Domaine de Mirail Organic Wine from Lectoure
The Domaine de Mirail is located near the town of Lectoure in the heart of Lomagne, which Stendhal described as “French Tuscany”.
domaindemirail.com
Return your bicycles to the Tourist Office in Lectoure, located in the heart of Lectoure 20m below your restaurant.

Wine tasting at the Domaine du Mirail © Collection Tourisme Gers/BNIArmagnac/Carossio Michel
-> Racine restaurant
One of the most renowned bistronomiques in Lectoure, it’s a gastronomic stopover that has become a must for lovers of fine food. Lionel Créteur, the restaurant’s chef, is a flavour expert who is passionate about plants. The restaurant’s name was chosen for a reason – plants are at the root (racine) of everything the chef does. There is a love of traditional recipes from the Hexagon combined with the perpetual quest to find new combinations. Without using too many neologisms, there is an air of “culinary archaeology”. Whether inspired by old gourmet books or the land of Lomagne, everything will exalt your senses. Happy tasting…
Racine restaurant, Lectoure
Traditional French food, book online www.racinerestaurant.fr

Restaurant Racine in Lectoure, dessert © Collection Tourisme Gers/Restaurant Racine
-> Archaeological Museum of Lectoure
To finish and stay on topic, our last step will open the doors to the cellars of the Hôtel de Ville.
There, discover the traces of the prosperous city of Lactora! Lactora reached its peach between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, making it one of the twelve “civitas” of the southwest. You can also explore the 17th-century kitchens of the old episcopal palace with their stone and brick vaults. To top it off, you will discover France’s first collection of taurobolic altars. You do not know what they are? No worries, you will soon find out…
Eugène-Camoreyt Archaeological Museum – Occitanie Museums
Undoubtedly one of the oldest museums in France. The Lectoure Archaeological Museum, active since the 16th century, is housed in the vaulted cellars of the Hôtel de Ville, the former palace of the bishops of Lectoure. museums-occitanie.fr
This concludes your stay in Lomagne Gersoise and Gers, a fascinating place where tradition, history and innovation meet and mix… a paradox that is as real as it is tasty!
When you leave Gers, you’ll only want one thing: to come back quickly for another wonderful nature break.
Find out more about:
Gers: www.holidays-gers.com
Coeur Sud-Ouest: https://www.coeursudouest-tourisme.com/en/
Gascony Lomagne: https://gascogne-lomagne.fr
Gascony Lomagne Tourist Office, General de Gaulle Square, 32700 LECTOURE