France - GR65 from Cahors to St Jean PP

Description	Dates and prices

After Cahors the picturesque hilly landscape of White Quercy invites you on the crest footpath and to discover the Bastides. A few km later while getting close to the Tarn Valley, appreciate the lush orchard of Gascogne and arrive in Moissac. This is the cradle of d’Artagnan, one of the famous Three Musketeers characters by Alexandre Dumas This land is punctuated with castles and medieval chapels and is proud of its renowned gastronomy. After crossing the Landes and Bearn you arrive in the Basque Country The Pyrenees range in the background, each day closer while approaching Ostabat the meeting point of 3 of the Way of St James Routes. The Sauvelade Abbey, the Navarrenx Bastide, and the fortress of St Jean Pied de Port are famous remarkable places.

Day 1

Cahors Cahors is surrounded by steep cliffs and located on the banks of the Lot River. Take the time to visit this city: the Valentré Bridge also called the Devil Bridge, 11th century Saint-Etienne Cathedral on the Unesco List, medieval houses, carved doors from the 17th century and numerous neo-classical buildings. Night in Cahors. *** Hotel BB (night and breakfast) near the Pont Valentré.

Day 2

CAHORS - LASCABANES - 23 km – 6h00 walk To leave Cahors, cross the bridge and climb up the cliff to reach the crest overlooking Cahors and continue the walk on a stone path. Night in Lascabanes in a Guest House in a green environment. Half board (dinner, night and breakfast)-

Day 3

LASCABANES - LAUZERTE - 23 km - 5h30 walk Today’s itinerary follows ups and owns all day long. Less woodlands and more farmlands and cultivated fields up to Lauzerte (classified among one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France) where you will discover an ancient raised dovecote and Saint-Sernin church. Night in Lauzerte- Half board (dinner, night and breakfast)

Day 4

LAUZERTE - MOISSAC - 25 km - 6h00 - 5h30 One of the easiest days through quiet countryside, between woodlands, crop fields, and vines. The stage ends in Moissac, where Saint-Pierre Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage. Dinner and night in a 2 or 3* hotel.

Day 5

MOISSAC - AUVILLAR - 21 km - 5h00 Today’s walk starts at the Abbey, then follows the Tarn River and the Canal de Garonne. The last part of the day you will climb up the street entering into Auvillar and its the charming cobblestone square, with its ancient circular open hall and arcades. Half board (dinner, night and breakfast) at the hotel.

Day 6

AUVILLAR–MIRADOUX 17 km – 4h30. Continue a few km from Auvillar to reach St Antoine, Flamarens peaceful villages surrounded with cultivated fields – Dinner and night in a Guest House

Day 7

MIRADOUX - LECTOURE - 15 km - 4h00 Stage through the countryside up to Lectoure. Dinner at the 3*Hotel in Lectoure

Day 8

LECTOURE - LA ROMIEU - 19 km – 12 miles - 5h00 walk Today you will pass by Morsolan and a St James Hospital. From the terrace the view overlooks the green valley.Arrive in La Romieu and visit the magnificent Collégiale St. Pierre, a 14th-century cloister with a tower (Unesco Heritage) Night in La Romieu in a Guest House - Half board (dinner, night and breakfast)

Day 9

LA ROMIEU-CONDOM - 16 km – 10 miles - 4h00 walk A stage up and down the gentle hills of the Gers into the deep France. This area is often compared with Tuscany. Dinner and night in a 2 or 3* hotel.

Day 10

CONDOM – MONTREAL- 17 km – 10.5 miles - 4h15 walk The walk continues through the Armagnac region Night in Montreal in a Guest House- Half board (dinner, night and breakfast). Standard or Superior Guest House

Day 11

MONTREAL - EAUZE - 16 km - 4 h00 Leave Montreal, one of the first bastides (1289) of the Gers “department” to reach Eauze,the present capital of Armagnac. Dinner and night at the hotel in Eauze

Day 12

EAUZE - NOGARO - 20 km - 5h00 walk Take the time to stroll around between the elegant bell tower and the House “Jeanne d’Albret”, Henry IV ‘s mother, where the “Bon Roi” Henry stayed in 1579. Night in Nogaro- 2* hotel

Day 13

NOGARO - BARCELONNE DU GERS (or Aire sur Adour) - 21 km (or 26 km)- 5h30 You walk across a chesnut-tree woodland which quickly turns into maritime pine-tree forest while approaching the cultivated the Adour River valley. 3* Guest House

Day 14

AIRE S/ADOUR- MIRAMONT SENSACQ - 16 Km – 4H00 Les Landes and its great fields of corn, and as a backdrop the Pyrenees range can be seen in the distance-Dinner and night in a 2* or 3* Guest House.

Day 15

MIRAMONT SENSACQ - ARZACQ - 18 Km – 3h30 This easy stage will take you to one of the oldest “bastide”, Pimbo, and to Arzacq a beautiful village. Dinner and night in a 2* hotel or 3* Guest House.

Day 16

ARZACQ - LARREULE – 12 km – 3h00 Short stage up to the beautiful church of Saint Pierre in Larreule Dinner and night in a Guest House

Day 17

LAREULE – ARTHEZ DE BEARN - 17 km – 4h30 This stage crosses Bearn with a few beautiful churches, Ste Quitterie or Saint Jacques in Pomps The stage is less flat with a small elevation gain. Dinner and night in a hotel in Arthez in a 3* or 2 * Guest House

Day 18

ARTHEZ de BEARN - SAUVELADE - 14 km - 3h30 The 13th century abbey with its Greek cross shape is worth the visit. Dinner and night.1* or 3* Guest House.

Day 19

SAUVELADE - NAVARRENX – 15 km - 3h45 This hilly stage is more challenging than the previous day but does not exceed 150 meters of elevation gain. Fortified Navarrenx will welcome you for the tasty dinner and night in a 2* hotel

Day 20

NAVARRENX - LICHOS 17 km - + 450 m/- 523 m - You leave the fortified city of Navarrenx and head towards Castetnau-Camblong and Montgaston castle. Dinner and night in a Guest House.

Day 21

LICHOS – OSTABAT 24 km – 5h15 - +700m /-600m Following the blue-and-yellow scallop signs, you will arrive at the junction of the 3 routes to Compostelle converging here in Ostabat (the Vezelay Way and the Way from Tours), a high place for the pilgrims where formerly stands hospital and other monuments. Dinner and night in a Guest House.

Day 22

OSTABAT - SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT - 21 Km – 5h30 (+590 m) Last stage before the Spanish border. Walk through small hamlets and across the Oyhanzarre Pass (365 m) and reach your final stage, the fortified mountain city of Saint Jean Pied de Port, departure point for the French Camino. Night in a 2* or 3* hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 23

ST JEAN PIED DE PORT The city is a very lively place with many monuments to visit. End of your walk after breakfast.