The GR65 takes walkers to the country of Armagnac, into the hilly landscapes of Gascony. Forest paths, corn and sunflower crops and stops in our villages rich in historical heritage will amaze you. La Romieu with its XNUMXth century collegiate church, Condom medieval city and its Saint-Pierre cathedral, Montreal of the Gers, medieval jewel with its cobbled streets, Nogaro haven of peace with its Saint-Nicolas church, or even Eauze and its Gallo-Roman heritage.
Prepare ????
The Voie du Puy-en-Velay is one of the most popular routes on the route to Santiago de Compostela In France. The beautiful town of Puy-en-Velay, in Haute-Loire, is often considered the starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. With a length of 750 km, it is a total of 32 steps: which allow hikers to reach the Basque village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, before tackling the Camino Francés path in Spain.
So before tackling these 32 steps, here are some tips:
First of all the kilometers of each stage which crosses our territory 🥾Montreal du Gers/Eauze: 17 km 🥾 Eauze/Nogaro: 20.20 km 🥾 Nogaro/Aire-sur-Adour: 26.5 km
- Accommodation reservation : it is recommended to reserve accommodation at least 24 hours in advance.
- Transportation Reservation : reservation is essential (24 hours before)
- Steps : in general, they vary between 17 and 25 km/day. However, kilometers are not necessarily a good indicator, you must adapt the stage to the difference in altitude. It is good to plan short steps at the start.
- SNCF : timetable information Tel. 3635 or on sncf-connect.com (join Eauze from the Agen, Mont de Marsan or Auch stations).
- Parking in Eauze : for a long stay, use the free parking at Belle-Marie (next to the arenas) 200m from the city center. In Nogaro, free Périé parking (behind the Arena) or church square and secure parking with “Olivier” barriers.
- If you wish to take public transport from Eauze and Nogaro, we invite you to look carefully in advance at the buses, taxis and trains that correspond to your journey.
Transport 🚌
Bus lines
Collective transport companies on the GR65
Accommodations🛏️
The Eauze municipal stopover lodge
Located on the GR65 in the heart of the town of Eauze, the communal stopover gîte is the ideal place to rest. It has 3 dormitories 5 single beds, not bunk (maximum capacity 15 people). You can use the kitchen or enjoy the restaurants just downstairs on Cathedral Square. 🍽️ You can reserve your Breakfast which consists of: 1 pastries of your choice (croissant or chocolatine), bread, butter, jam, compote, yogurt, cheese, fruit juice, coffee or tea – delivered from 6:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. Annual closure on the occasion of the Eauze festivals (1st weekend in July).
On site
I reserve my place
| Prices | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Night |
19 € | - |
| Breakfast |
5 € | 8 € |
I reserve my place at the municipal gîte
FAQ – Communal gîte
What time can I arrive?
Access to the gîte is possible from 14 p.m.
Or should I pay?
You must go to the tourist office before 18 p.m. in order to pay and have the information to access the gîte which is located opposite the office.
I arrive after 18 p.m., what should I do?
If you arrive after 18 p.m. or on Sunday when we are closed, we will send you the information by message.
Are animals accepted?
No
Can I pitch my tent at the communal lodge?
No, there is no outside.
Accommodation on the GR65
Your arrival📍
1- Shops and services
| Montreal of the Gers | Eauze | Manciet | Nogaro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants Bakeries grocery butchery grocery dispenser Pharmacy | Restaurants Bakeries grocery stores butchery grocery distributors pharmacies | Restaurants Grocery | Restaurants Bakeries grocery stores grocery distributors Pharmacy |
2- Restaurants on the GR65
3- Come see your Gascon experts
Push the door of your tourist offices in Eauze and Nogaro to get valuable information on the path, smiles and if you are good, you will even be entitled to a stamp! 🔖
4- Masses
- Eauze: Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in St Luperc church.
- Nogaro: Every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in St Nicolas church.
Practical information card
Find on this map the geolocated points for parking, public toilets, the points'potable water and bus stops in the communes of Eauze, Manciet and Nogaro.
Souvenir gifts in your Tourist Offices 🎁
Gifts to remember your journey on the road to Santiago de Compostela:
- pins, key rings, magnets, postcards…
But also practical products:
- the credencial, the yum-yum sleep, a walking stick…
See you soon !
FAQ
How to catch up to Lourdes?
Via the GR 101 known as “Chemin de l’Ouest de Bigorre” crosses Lourdes. It allows hikers and pilgrims en route to Compostela via the “Chemin d'Arles” (GR653) coming from Maubourguet, to reach the town of Lourdes then connect to the Col de Saucède.
Are there any shops between Nogaro and Aire-sur-Adour?
There is a refreshment point at Lelin Lapujolle, “La pacha mama” (check the times before going there)
Is there a bus in Aire Sur Adour to move forward on the path?
It is possible to save time and strength by taking a bus from Aire sur l'Adour to Sarron. You will only have 5 km left to go, out of the 17 initially planned!
How long is the Way of St James?
In France, the longest route is that of Vézelay: it extends over 1 kilometers from Burgundy to Saint-Jean-Pied de Port, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, where the three other main French routes converge which measure between 100 and 750 kilometers. It remains to cross Spain. The most popular route remains the Camino Francés, which stretches almost 1000 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela.
What is the most difficult path?
Each path has difficulties: the climate, the length of the stages, the difference in altitude... The Camino del Norte, for example, is known to be more difficult than the Camino Francés. The Via de la Plata is also renowned for being a demanding path, which is why we only offer it with a guide and only a selection of the most beautiful stages.
What is the most beautiful part of the Way?
On the French side, 71 monuments were classified as World Heritage sites in 1998, 25 years ago, as well as 7 portions of the paths. The crossing of the Aubrac is one of the latter, between Nasbinals (Lozère) and Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac (Aveyron): this 17 kilometer stage in the middle of a lunar setting remains a striking memory for the great majority of walkers.
How many Ways of St James are there in Spain?
There are about 5 major routes in Spain to do the Camino de Compostela. There are then around ten so-called “alternative” or “secondary” paths. The most famous and frequented paths are the Camino Francés, the Camino Del Norte, the Camino Primitivo, the Camino de Madrid, and the Via de la Plata.
Why is the shell the symbol of Santiago de Compostela?
A historical symbol of Compostela: Since Antiquity, shells were worn to protect against witchcraft, bad luck and illness. For these symbolic reasons, the shell established itself as an attribute of the apostle Saint-Jacques, from whom it took the name.
The credencial or The Creancial?
The credencial is issued by the Jacquarian associations and the creancial is issued by the Church.
Is it obligatory on the Path?
It allows pilgrims to access the lodgings reserved for them. The credencial is obligatory in Spain and recommended in France as well as in other countries. It allows you to obtain the Compostela (pilgrimage certificate) upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela. The credencial also constitutes a valuable souvenir, a door that remains open to an unforgettable journey.
What is “Donativo” accommodation?
The principle of donativo accommodation is to keep the Way accessible to everyone, without distinction of social class or income.
The Donativo are lodges with dormitory rooms, and are “free to participate”. That is to say, everyone pays what price they can. But be careful not to confuse Donativo and free. Financial participation is always requested, up to what everyone can contribute.
