A typical 7 night cycling holiday in Gascony

A typical 7 night diary of a Gentle Tourer in Gascony

Day 1 & 2 Condom

Booked a last minute break to catch the Autumn. Arrived to find the days still very warm..even hot! Very comfy base hotel with dinner in the courtyard. A trip to La Romieu is recommended for our first cycling day. Slightly testing for very Softies like us. A bit of up and down. Small café in square initially said no food but, provided plates of saucisson, cheese and bread. Just what we needed. Gardens beautiful. Return home mainly downhill...

Day 3 & 4 Fourcès (15kms)

Quiet route via Larresingle, a charming fortified village with an excellent creperie. The chateau hotel is magnificent. The bikes are kept locked in the drinks store, so not easily accessible. Found the receptionist who kindly liberated them for our ride to see the beautiful Roman mosaics at Seviac. Floc (something left over from the manufacture of Armagnac & wow!) in my melon followed by cassoulet for lunch.

Day 5 & 6 Buros (20kms)

A very easy cycling day as although we 'misinterpreted' the map (we took various wrong turns which resulted in us meeting several slightly bemused farmers as we pedalled into their farmyards) the countryside was flat, enchanting and empty of traffic. The chateau hotel at Buros is lovely. A very warm welcome and lots of suggestions as to what to do on our 'spare' day. We decided a book by the pool would probably be perfect. The hum on the terrace during our candle lit dinner was silenced when a deer stepped into our vision and gently started 'pruning' the roses. We all held our breath. Magical.

Day 7 Buros-Condom (35kms)

As we are feeling fit and rested we choose a detour via Nérac, a very colourful little town on the river Baise. It proves highly successful as there are plenty of restaurants for lunch. I have a very good paté followed by an omelette with cèpes. Neither of us can imagine cycling immediately, so we take a ride down the river on a tourist boat, very peaceful and ideal for the digestion.

Day 8

Collect our bottle of Armagnac, recommended by Jean-Marc, and buy some little cheeses for friends who have been looking after the cat. We are as brown as berries and as fit as fleas. Feel wonderful.

< Go back to cycling in Gascony