Compare The Way of St James - Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour by UTracks vs Four days in Saint-Emilion, Margaux, Blaye & Cadillac by Memosine

Day 1 Arrive Lectoure

On arrival in the spa town of Lectoure, make your way to your hotel. Built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne, the town has an imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, and a colourful history such as the siege of Louis XI in 1473. If you are here on a Friday there is a fabulous market in the morning showcasing the region's gastronomic delights. Dinner will be at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.

meals : D

Day 2 Walk to La Romieu (5hrs)

Leaving Lectoure and the Ger River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan, where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. Continuing through fields and woods, the trail descends gently to La Romieu. Here you can visit the 14th century church whose towers resemble a castle and whose cloisters are a 'must-see'. Distance 18km/11.2mi, +349m/1145ft, -350m/1148ft

meals : B,D

Day 3 Continue to the Armagnac town of Condom (4hrs)

Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found throughout the area), the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze and the Armagnac 'Noir', where thick black oak woods are found and 57% of the wine crops of Armagnac are located. Condom is one of the principal Armagnac towns and is located at a spur of the rivers Gele and Baise. The key attraction is the Gothic styled cathedral of St Peter's, the last built in the Languedoc style. Distance 13km/8.1mi, +237m/777ft, -331m/1086ft

meals : B,D

Day 4 Walk to Montréal-du-Gers with its arcaded market place (5hrs)

En route to Montréal-du-Gers we recommend a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle, which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the 'most beautiful villages in France', referred to by the locals as the "Carcassonne of Gers". Further along the route you pass the Pont d'Artigues, a Romanesque bridge over the Osse. It was also the site of a pilgrim hospital and a church but there are no remains of these buildings today. A little further along you come across the Eglise de Routges, the oldest church in the region, before arriving at Montréal-du-Gers. This interesting bastide town was one of the first English fortified towns of Gascogne (1289). It has a central square surrounded by arcades, the 13th century Church of Ste Marie and historic houses. Distance 16km/9.9mi, +263m/863ft, -239m/784ft

meals : B,D

Day 5 To the Roman town of Eauze (5hrs)

The route this morning takes you along quiet trails lined with the vines of the Armagnac region and past farm houses. An alternative route leads to the hamlet of Séviac and its Gallo-Roman site (baths and 4th century mosaic). Passing by the village of Lamothe, with its 13th century guard tower, the route continues along a flat path to the former Roman town of Eauze. The Gothic cathedral is worth a visit, while other attractions include the museum with its Roman coin collection, an Andalucian style bullring and numerous historic houses. Distance 17km/10.6mi, +241m/791ft, -198m/650ft

meals : B,D

Day 6 To Nogaro (6hrs)

Before leaving Eauze take the time to stroll around this Gers town, from the slender steeple of Saint Luperc to the half-timbered house called 'la maison dite de Jeanne d'Albret'. The route continues today on a fairly flat trail through vines, walnut groves and open countryside. In Manciet, about half way along the day's walk, there is a bullring used for cattle races, which are held on the 2nd Sunday in September to coincide with the village fete. Passing the church of St Jean Baptiste de la Commanderie de Saint Christie de l'Armagnac there are some small descents and ascents before the path leads into Nogaro. Its name is taken from Nogarium which means 'a place planted with walnuts'. The town has a bullring and a collegiate 12th Century Romanesque church. Distance 20km/12.4mi, +338m/1109ft, -364m/1194ft

meals : B,D

Day 7 Final stage to Aire sur l'Adour (7-8hrs)

Continue on a trail through forest of Maritime pine, oak and chestnut with much of the day along roads (low traffic). Along the route you pass by some interesting bridges and hamlets before reaching Aire sur l'Adour. Aire sur l'Adour is separated into two parts; the lower section which is by the river and dominated by the cathedral of St Jean Baptiste, and the high town or Mas d'Aire which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie, where a Benedictine monastery once stood. The trip concludes on arrival in Aire sur l'Adour (the night in Aire is not included) Distance 27km/16.8mi, +373m/1224ft, -434m/1424ft We can assist with a post tour night in Aire sur l'Adour or the nearby town of Barcelonne du Gers - please ask for our rates. If you don't book the night's accommodation with us we will let you know where to collect your luggage. Or you can continue on the Way of St James to St Jean Pied de Port.

meals : B

Day 1: Bordeaux, Margaux, Blaye, 50km

• 10:00 am: Departure from the Memosine agency in Bordeaux
• 10:30 am: Admire your first vines and drive along the Gironde estuary
• 11:30 am: Visit of an 1855 classified great growth Château followed by a wine-tasting*
• 3:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Legendary Castle Road to Margaux
• 3:00 pm: Wine-tasting visit in lovely Cru Bourgeois Château**
• 4:30 pm: Ferry crossing Lamarque-Blaye
• 6:00 pm:  Settle in your charming guesthouse in Blaye***

Classified Château: Dauzac, Desmirail, Prieuré-Lichine **Cru Bourgeois Château: Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Breton Larigaudière ***Guesthouse: Clos Réaud, Villa Prémayac

Day 2: Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde, Saint-Emilion, 60km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast at the guesthouse (included)
• 10:00 am: Free visit of Blaye Citadel
• 11:30 am: Drive along the Dordogne river past charming Bourg-sur-Gironde
• 1:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
• 3:30 pm: Wine-tasting visit in a Fronsac appellation Château on the way to Saint-Emilion*
• 6:00:pm: Night amongst the Saint-Emilion vineyards**

Château: La Rivière **Guesthouse: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe

Day 3: Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, 90km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
• 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the lovely family property*
• 11:00 am: Famous Châteaux loop to see Pomerol, Domaine de Petrus, Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Angelus
• 12:00 am: Lunch (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Guided visit of the Saint-Emilion underground monuments and monolithic church
• 3:30 pm: Free time around Saint-Emilion
• 4:30 pm: Leisurely drive to Sauternes past Saint-Macaire medieval city
• 6:30 pm: Night amongst the vineyards Sauternes**

Château: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe **Guesthouse: Relais du silence du Château d’Arche

Day 4: Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, 80km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
• 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the property of Sauternes appellation*
• 11:00 am: Stop by Château Yquem and drive along the Landes forest
• 12:30 pm: Lunch in the Graves wine region (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Visit of the Château of La Brède, former home of world-famous philosopher De Montesquieu
• 4:00 pm: Stop at the Sources of Caudalie, famous for their grape-based cosmetics
• 5:00 pm: Drive across the Graves region and back to Bordeaux along its 18th-century quays
• 6:00 pm:  Arrival at the agency in the Chartrons district of Bordeaux