Sarrant: Bucolic walk along the “Sentier des pigeonniers”

Are you visiting the Gers near Sarrant and looking for a pleasant walk in the heart of nature? This is the opportunity to discover some heritage remains. Follow us on the dovecote trail! This 8 km loop, starting from the town of the charming village of Sarrant, will take you between fields of crops, undergrowth and country paths. You can do this loop on foot, by bike and even on the back of donkeys!

on foot, by bicycle, or on the back of a donkey

In the car park, near the feudal gate, a sign indicates the details of the route

All means of locomotion are good for this walk. We cannot say that it involves great difficulties, everyone can then face it.

If you go on foot, it takes at least 2 hours if you are a good walker, and a little more if you hike occasionally.

If you prefer to pedal with your hair in the wind, the circuit can be covered in about 1h15 / 1h30, everything will depend on your level. We recommend a mountain bike or hybrid bike, because we sometimes circulate on stony or grassy paths. Of course, nothing prevents you from riding a city bike (as we did), you just have to take into consideration certain less easy passages.

The walk is pleasant, even for novice cyclists!

As for the ride in the company of a donkey, at a place called "Ange", the Azinet, offers walks and hikes, accompanied by an animal.

The beginning of the circuit is asphalted, but very quickly you will arrive on trails. Everything is very well indicated. Just follow the yellow markings with the inscription "PR" (Petite Randonnée - Short walk). Sometimes the signs will even indicate “Sentier des pigeonniers”.

Regularly, signs and markings help you orient yourself

For novices, know that a cross indicates that you are taking the wrong path. Then look around and look for the yellow sign, or yellow markings, which will point you in the right direction and which will lead you to your destination!

Visit the village of Lectoure not far away! Discover the blue of Lectoure...

Discover the dovecotes and local heritage

Enjoy the peace and serenity throughout the circuit. This path is the promise of a moment of pure tranquility and communion with nature. It is also the occasion for local heritage meetings. Indeed, during your outing you will discover a castle, a wash house, a small waterfall.

From afar, then up close, admire the Savaillan castle

Hear the flow of water and discover, well hidden, this pretty little waterfall

A few meters from the end of the loop, you will pass in front of this charming washhouse

But above all, you will be able to see 4 dovecotes. The dovecotes are a peculiarity that one hardly meets in most of our French regions. But here you will be able to note their incredible state of preservation. And this loop allows you to get acquainted with them and be able to admire them.

Some of the dovecotes that you will come across during your getaway

Originally, the dovecotes were isolated, in the middle of the fields. But it was from the 17th century that the rich owners brought them closer to their place of life. This tower was the seat of their wealth and domination, and it gave the whole area an air of a fortress.

Information panels have been installed along the circuit. Thus, you will learn more about the Droit de Colombier, the Château de Savaillan and its dovecote and the rivers (the Gimone and the Arratz). In addition, you will be able to locate yourself thanks to the maps. The right of Colombier was a privilege of noble families, the fact of owning one on his land was a sign of prestige and economic wealth. The size of the loft as well as the number of pigeons allowed depended on the size of the estate, as the birds feed on the seeds and can influence the harvests. They were sometimes locked in the dovecotes, especially during the periods of sowing seeds. Dovecotes were not allowed in town, because of the damage and dirt caused by pigeon droppings. Symbol of a dominant feudal hierarchy which annoys, many dovecotes were destroyed during the Revolution.Subsequently, they are rebuilt as a sign of victory over the formerly noble privileges and now abolished.

Take a break, read, learn, understand... this is the purpose of the information panels put in place

Useful information

The departure takes place in the center of Sarrant. There is free parking near the feudal gate where you can park with no time limit.

From here, follow direction Mauvezin. The first dovecote is at the exit of the village.

Sarrant is the starting point for several trails

Then, goodbye to the asphalt and hello the countryside! Depending on the season, you will be surrounded by diverse and varied cultures. In the middle of summer, the yellow color of the sunflowers will illuminate your walk and you will also come face to face with entire fields of melons and vines.

Changing cultures and landscapes, all along the trail, and with the seasons

As with any hiking or cycling trip, don't forget to pack something to hydrate yourself. Much of the trail is in the undergrowth, but if the temperatures rise take sunscreen and headwear!

We hope you enjoyed this country loop. Do not hesitate to complete your outing with a visit to the village of Sarrant, labeled among the Most Beautiful Villages of France in the Gers. You will fall under the spell of its narrow streets and the architectural style of this atypical medieval town.

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Article and photos prepared by Charline Prod'Homme for the Guide du Gers

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