Cycling in

the Gers

Our house is very well located to be used as a base if you are planning on day cycling or tours in the Gers. We have put together a short list of favourite routes plus the two most recent transits made by “The Tour de France”.  

Cycling in the Gers department offers a peaceful, scenic experience characterised by quiet country lanes, rolling hills, vineyards, and sunflower fields. Key routes include the 33km Armagnac Greenway, trails along the Gers river, and challenging routes for road cyclists in the foothills.

Practical Information

  • Bike Hire: Available via services like Gascogne Bike Hire

  • Best Time: Spring and autumn are ideal, with milder weather for tackling the rolling terrain.

  • Road Cycling: Challenging, scenic routes are plentiful, often crossing into the Pyrenean foothills.

  • Rules: Helmets are compulsory for children under 12; adults are advised to wear them.

  • Resources: For maps and route planning, visit the official Gers Tourism site or use RouteYou for a list of local routes

Key Road Cycling Areas & Routes

  • Voie Verte de l'Armagnac(Condom-Lagraulet): A safe, flat, and family-friendly, 33km paved route along a former railway line.

  • Greenway of the Banks of the Gers (Auch): Well-equipped paths traversing Auch.

  • Base VTT des Tuileries (Simorre): Features eight designated mountain bike (MTB) circuits.

  • Gers River Path: Another popular route for leisure cycling.

  • Countryside Roads: The region is known for quiet backroads with low traffic, ideal for touring, particularly in the hilly, vineyard-covered landscape of the Armagnac region. 

  • Armagnac Vineyard Roads: The region around Condom, Gondrin, and Lagraulet-du-Gers is filled with quiet lanes that wind through Armagnac vineyards and sunflower fields.

  • The Foie Gras Circuit (approx. 66km): A moderate, popular route starting near Auch that showcases the rolling hills and countryside of the Gers.

  • Bastides of the Gers Route (around 43km): A recreational loop starting near Gondrin that passes through bastides like Fourcès, Montreal-du-Gers, and Larressingle, often featuring "rolling country roads".

  • Auch and the Moulin de Durban Loop (approx. 52km): A moderate road loop around the capital city of Auch, offering views of the Pyrenees.

  • Castles and Cathedrals Loop (approx. 78km): A more difficult route connecting historic towns like Condom and Lectoure, offering significant climbing through vineyards.

Countryside Cycling Characteristics

  • "La France Profonde": The Gers is one of the least industrialized and most rural departments in France, offering authentic, calm cycling experiences.

  • Hilly Terrain: While not mountainous, the rolling landscape ensures there are always climbs to conquer, making a bike with multiple gears advisable, or an electric bike for a more leisure-paced ride.

  • Scenic Views: Many routes offer panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountains to the south.

  • Best Time to Cycle: Spring and autumn are ideal for pleasant temperatures, while summer provides vibrant sunflower fields.

Tips for Riding Rural Roads

  • Traffic: Roads are generally safe and low-traffic, but caution should be used on main roads (such as the D931), which can be avoided by sticking to smaller, signposted rural routes.

  • Navigation: Many, but not all, routes are signposted, and utilizing maps or a GPS is recommended to navigate the "maze" of small country roads.

The Tour de France

The Tour de France has passed through Miélan in the Gers department on several occasions, most notably twice within the last decade.

2025: Stage 12 (17 July)

In the 2025 edition, Miélan hosted the peloton during Stage 12, which ran from Auch to Hautacam.

  • Direction: The race entered Miélan from Mirande (heading south) and continued toward Villecomtal-sur-Arros.

  • Significance: This passage marked a return to the town after a seven-year absence.

2018: Stage 19 (27 July)

Miélan was part of the route for Stage 19 of the 2018 Tour, a challenging mountain stage from Lourdesto Laruns

·      Direction: The riders travelled through the town along the Avenue du 11 Novembre, heading from Trie-sur-Baïse.

Other Notable Years

Historically, Miélan has been a common transit point when the race moves between the department of Gers and the high Pyrenees. While routes vary annually, stages connecting Pau or Lourdes with eastern start towns like Auch or Saint-Gaudens frequently utilise the D929 road passing through Miélan.