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Lectoure

Visit Lectoure (Midi-Pyrenees, France)

Lectoure is a small town in the Gers department of the Midi-Pyrenees, north of Fleurance and east of Condom. Once an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Saint Jacques de Compostelle, Lectoure is nowadays more visited for the surrounding Gascony countryside, foie gras and armagnac.

Lectoure was originally the capital of the historic Lomagne region, lying between the rivers Gers and Garonne, that was once the base of the counts of Armagnac. In 1472 Louis XI entered the town on false promises and proceeded to kill the count and damage the town. When nearby Auch became the capital of Gers, Lectoure became a much quieter town.

Explore Lectoure

Lectoure sits high above the Gers River and wandering around the town there are many splendid views of the farming landscape below.

It is an attractive town whose centre runs down one main street with a pretty hospital and the town’s thermal (spa) station at one end and the Cathedral of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais at the other.

The cathedral is 15^th century, built after Louis XI destroyed the previous one and has a striking tower with a round turret attached to the bell-tower.

Next to the cathedral is the tourist office and town hall. The town hall was originally the Episcopal palace, in the 17^th century, and in its cellars there is a museum. The museum contains 20 Gallo-Roman altars decorated with sacrificial animals.

Wander down the street below the town hall and there is the Fontaine Diane - a natural spring inside a little gothic building that at one stage provided the source of water for an active tannery industry in the town. Diana's Fountain dates back to roman times, though much of the structure that you see now dates from the 13th century and later.

Elsewhere as you explore Lectoure you will see a good number of interesting stonework and attractive buildings, including some large 18th century mansions. One of these, once the Hotel de Castaing, is now the Hotel Restaurant de Bastard and looks very pleasant.

Attractions nearby

A short distance to the east of Lectoure you can visit the Chateau de Gramont, an attractive and carefully furnished small castle.

Photos of Lectoure

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Tourist classifications for Lectoure

Lectoure is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)

Address: Lectoure, Condom, Gers, Midi-Pyrenees, 32700 || GPS: latitude 43.935, longitude 0.6219

Map of Lectoure & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Bardigues 24km; Larressingle 25km; Auvillar 27km; Villeneuve de Mezin 29km; Valence-d'Agen 29km; Le-Pin 30km; Beaumont-de-Lomagne 30km; Agen 30km; Sarrant 30km; Puymirol 31km; Fources 32km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Lectoure.
See Midi-Pyrenees and Gers (the region and department for Lectoure) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Lectoure, France

• La Romieu Collegiale St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (11km)
• Jardin et arboretum de Coursiana - remarkable garden (11km)
• Gramont Chateau - national monument (12km)
• Blaziert - ville fleurie 4* (12km)
• Eglise de Saint Martin (Layrac) - religious monument (22km)
• Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax) - religious monument (23km)
• Eglise de Sainte Marie (Aubiac) - religious monument (23km)
• Walibi Aquitaine - theme park (24km)
• Larressingle - most beautiful village (25km)
• Beaumont sur l'Osee pont d'Artigues (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (25km)

Market days in Lectoure: Regular market(s) are held in Lectoure each Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Lectoure (Francais)