Barcelonne-Du-Gers: Bastide history and routes along the Adour

Barcelonne-du-Gers lies on the right bank of the Adour, on the border with the Landes département and at the western entrance to the Gers département. Two themes particularly shape the town for visitors: its bastide history and the landscape around the river. Its distinctive architectural history and several routes also feature, with clearly differentiated route lengths, ways of travelling and time estimates.

Bastide history and architecture

The bastide of Cosset was built around 1316 and soon took the name Barcelonne. Its historic layout included a square and eight main streets laid out at right angles. A wall surrounded the settlement, with four gates featuring double drawbridges and a double, water-filled moat. These details show the bastide to be a clearly planned and fortified historic settlement.

The church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel has a square bell tower and dates from the 16th century. It also preserves a Flamboyant Gothic portal dated to the late 15th or early 16th century. The roof structure of the washhouse is made from timber from the former market hall. The former prison also has a varied history: originally a water tower, it later served as a holding cell and overnight accommodation.

For five centuries, the arenas have upheld the Gascon cultural tradition of Course landaise. The town’s history thus encompasses not only its bastide and architecture but also a distinctive cultural tradition.

The Adour, walks and routes

The Bois de Casamont lies on a hillside above the Adour, offering views over the river. Paths through the woodland are open to walkers. The Bois de Casamont also contains the remains of the Château de Jeanne d’Albret. If you plan to walk here, check local trail conditions beforehand, as they may change.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Chemin de Compostelle, crosses the commune of Barcelonne-du-Gers. Another route is the 94 km Sentier de l’Adour, which runs between Barcelonne-du-Gers and Bazet in the Hautes-Pyrénées département. Barcelonne-du-Gers is 2 km from Aire-sur-l’Adour in the Landes département. The trail is open to walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. Its themes include the landscapes, nature, architecture, history and culture associated with the Adour. The route is therefore particularly suited to travellers interested in exploring nature and culture together.

For the section from Barcelonne-du-Gers to Gée-Rivière, estimated travel times are 1 hour 40 minutes on foot, 35 minutes by mountain bike and 50 minutes on horseback. The longest estimated time is for walking and the shortest for mountain biking; the horseback estimate falls between the two. The difference between the walking and mountain biking times is 1 hour 5 minutes. Check local conditions and the route before setting out, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Mauroux, Bretagne-d'Armagnac, Bourrouillan, Lannepax, Cravencères, Bassoues, Barbotan-Les-Bains, Aux-Aussat.

For the broader travel overview: Gers.