Day 5: Lectoure to Marsolan

Psalm 19:1 "The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork."


Lectoure, another Gallo-Roman town and former capital of the Counts of Armagnac during the middle ages, is rich in history, and currently is known for its Armagnac, foie gras, and melons. It is a fair-sized town, and I stayed in the bohemian-style gîte, l'Étoile d'Occitane, run by Isabel and her Indian husband, along with 4 French women I had met in Moissac, another French man, and a Swiss German man. 

Leaving Lectoure

the famous melons

farewell to Lectoure

Accommodations in Lectoure had been fairly comfortable, but the hallway to the bathrooms were not illuminated at night and I about had a heart attack when at 5 in the morning I fumbled around trying to find the light and touched someone else's hand! One of the other women had woken up at the same time and I hadn't heard or seen her...



The day's walk was short actually--only 9 kilometers, but I had developed a giant blister above my heel on the inner side, just above the brace I was wearing, so didn't need anything strenuous. I ran into the English woman from Oxford as I was leaving, and then later with four of the French women I had stayed with in Miradoux.


I started early before it got too hot, which made the trek fairly pleasant, stopping twice for breaks.


Reaching Marsolan early, I was at my gîte, l' Enclos du Talus before it opened. I deposited my backpack, rested, and then set off to have a look at the church, and search out the grocery and pharmacy.

view from my room

there is even an inviting swimming pool

The gîte is quite lovely. Actually I am staying in one of two cabins in the back yard which has a great view. There is even a swimming pool, but I did not think to bring a bathing suit...

While there wasn't much to do in Marsolan, I did visit the church, found the small grocery store, and had a beer in the tiny café, which I discovered to my delight!

Dinner. The two French sisters I shared a room with are in the foreground.