Explore the rolling Gascon countryside by bike, staying at traditional stone cottage with shared swimming pool, just 5km from market town of Condom.

Quiet country roads, gently rolling countryside, narrow lanes weaving through Armagnac vineyards, and far-reaching views from hill-top bastide villages. In summer, add to that sunflowers as far as the eye can see, and you have an idea of what the Gascony region of the Gers department, in South-West France, offers to those interested in a cycling holiday.

No need to worry about transporting your bikes - we have a range of bikes available for guests use (see below). Our gites are located in the medieval village of Larressingle, from where it is possible to cycle for many hours in a choice of directions, using only quiet lanes and country tracks.

This area of the northern Gers is dotted with ancient bastide (fortified) villages which all make for a perfect cycling destination, offering the possibility of a relaxing lunch before the return cycle home. Within an easy 10-15km cycle of Larressingle, you can visit :

• Montréal du Gers - a typical bastide village, with guided visits to its Gallo-Roman museum
• Fourcès - which is unusual for being the only round bastide village in the Gers, with beautiful shady "square", good restaurants and bars.
• La Romieu, imposing 14th century hill-top collegiate with quiet streets around, and a couple of nice bars to savour the surroundings.
• L'Abbaye de Flaran, abbey buildings and gardens with guided visits of this 12th century Cistercian monastery.

The local market town of Condom itself is within easy reach at 5km, where you will find all amenities, the cathedral, and boat-trips on the River.

A number of "bases de loisirs" (leisure lakes, with sandy beach and play area) are also within easy reach by bike if you fancy a refreshing swim to cool down after cycling. At Montréal du Gers, facilities and recreational amenities have been created around a natural lake. At Gondrin, a huge outdoor pool has been built in the village with separate areas for young swimmers, water slides, and a 3rd area with a raft for strong swimmers and also for sailing inflatables. It also features a large adventure playground and tennis courts. On the return to base, cool off again in the courtyard swimming pool.

For more serious cyclists, click here for a review about the pleasures of cycling in Gascony, written by specialists in cycling holidays.

Accommodation is available in 2 independent stone self-catering cottages, each with separate private garden with patio, and shared use of the courtyard swimming pool. The cottages are fully equipped with everything you need for your stay, including bed-linen and towels. Le Tilleul sleeps 6-8, while Le Figuier sleeps up to 6 people. They can be booked separately or together for groups of up to 14.

The cottages are set just outside the walls of the unique chateau-village of Larressingle which is open year-round and is itself well worth the visit. From April to October, a creperie inside the castle walls serves light lunches, drinks and ice-creams, while just outside the walls a restaurant offers full set menus and a la carte meals. Also in the village is a reconstruction of a medieval war camp, with several hands-on demonstrations daily of how this amazing equipment was used to attack and defend castles like that at Larressingle.

A range of bikes are available to suit most ages, and most have easily adjustable saddles. There are 3 full-sized "Giant" mountain bikes with 21 gears, a men's bike with hybrid tyres (21 gears), 2 bikes to suit children aged 7-10 (boy's bike has 3 gears), and a small bike for very young cyclists (4-7 years). There is also an infant seat (suit 9 months - 4 years) which can be fitted in seconds to one of the Giant bikes. 2 children's helmets and a full set of bike locks are also provided. Toolkit and pump also available.

(Please note, while every care has been taken to ensure the road-worthiness of these bikes, the owners cannot accept responsibility in the event of any mishap. Bikes are borrowed at the users risk. Further, bikes should be kept securely locked using the locks provided, at all times when away from the property. Please make sure you have adequate travel insurance. Thank you for your understanding.)

Full details of the gites can be found on our home page, and other pages accessed from link bar above.