Hill walks and rambles In Tarn and Garonne
A quiet stroll, as a family outing, is an ideal way to discover the hidden world of everyday life? peaceful and yet rich in souvenirs.
From orchards to dovecots, hillsides to cool valleys, from Quercy to Lomagne, a family outing is the best way to explore and discover the wash houses in Gasques or the Romanesque church at Gouts, near Montaigu, to relive the life of washerwomen at Causseviel or just to daydream, from lock to lock, along the Montech canal.
It?s also the best way of sharing the varied experiences and flavours of Tarn-and-Garonne: the chasselas grapes or cherries at Durfort-Lacapelette, the shady banks of the Petite Séoune at Roquecor or the Lupte at Labarthe, the fascinating architecture of Bruniquel overhanging the Aveyron gorges or the gigantic proportions of the Nibouzou cirque at Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and the cool waters of the Garonne flowing silently between the poplars of Mas-Grenier or even the strong taste of the Gascogne garlic at Montgaillard...
Further reading: :
"les Sentiers d'Emilie dans le Tarn-et-Garonne", de Jean-Pierre SIREJOL, 64 pages,
Isbn: 2841822478, 7.50?
Websites :
http://www.randonnees-midi-pyrenees.com/...
http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/la-federation/n...
River excursions
The canal of the two seas consists of two canals: the famous Midi canal (built between 1666 -1681) listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO ? it links Toulouse to Sète crossing the Languedoc? and the Garonne canal (built between1838-1856) which connects Bordeaux to Toulouse, crossing Tarn-and-Garonne.
One can therefore navigate, as a family or with friends, from Toulouse to Montauban, via Castelsarrasin and Moissac, finally arriving at the superb port of Valence d?Agen, a peaceful journey punctuated by 33 locks and several odd quirks:
The water slope at Montech: in service since 1974, is an experimental installation quite unique; the water and the boat are propelled by motor down the gradient.
The canal bridge at Cacor, Moissac: built in 1867, this bridge allows boats on the Garonne canal to navigate above the Tarn River.
The revolving bridge at Saint-Jacques, Moissac: built in 1845 in pink brick from Toulouse and Quercy stone, it straddles the Tarn.
The locks downstream allow boats to rejoin the river Baïse (at Buzet-sur-Baïse) and the Tarn (at Moissac).
Length: 193.296 kilometres
Width: 20 metres
Number of locks : 53 all with single docks
The Montech canal at Montauban, built at the same time as the Garonne canal, is the branch serving the town of de Montauban, political and economic centre of Tarn-and-Garonne. Today it offers daytrips to explore the forest at Agre and Montauban a "town renowned for its art and history".
Length: 10.700 kilometres
Width: 20 metres
Number of locks: 9 with single docks and a double going downstream on the Tarn at Montauban.
On the Garonne and Montech canals there are, in total, 9 ports and mooring points in Tarn and Garonne : Golfech, Valence d?Agen, Malause, Moissac, Castelsarrasin, Montech, Grisolles and, on the Montech canal at Montauban, the Port of Lacourt St Pierre.
Further reading:
Websites : http://www.sn-sud-ouest.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/...
Maps :
Hiking trails : the GR65, St Jacques de Compostelle route
The GR 65 or Via Podiensis links Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle and is one of the 4 pilgrims? ways in France. You can choose between gentle rambles of a few hours or a week?s hiking holiday. A busy week, as the route is not only breathtakingly beautiful but possesses sites not to be missed along the way, such as the magnificent abbey of Saint-Pierre at Moissac, Auvillar (round market hall and church of Saint-Pierre) not forgetting Lauzerte, the ?Toledo? of the Quercy, which proudly dominates the surrounding valleys from its rocky peak.
The itinerary is an individual choice but travellers are advised to follow the way markers and to purchase the guidebook published by the ?Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre? (French Federation of Rambling & Hiking) and to have the Guide ?Gîtes d'étape et Refuges? (Hostels for hikers & mountain huts and shelters) to hand.
Further reading :
Websites :
http://www.via-podiensis.com/accueil.php
http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/topos/topoGuidesCatal.aspx
Maps:
Topoguides de la Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre
Guide des Gîtes d'étape et Refuge
Cycle paths, green routes and cycling holidays
Cyclepaths are routes of mid or long distance on byroads with light traffic or, wherever possible Green Routes reserved solely for cyclists.
Green Routes are cyclepaths with no motorised traffic and are often along towpaths, riverbanks, disused rail tracks, forest and coastal paths or in town parks.
They are only to be used by pedes