Frégouville combines a distinctive local history with a cycling route through the Gers hills. The motte, the fortifications and the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste represent different historical chapters; the 29 km Au fil de la Save cycling route passes through the village between Monferran-Savès and Castillon-Savès. For planning your trip, this offers two clearly distinct highlights: cultural history and cycling.

Motte and Fortress History

The Motte de Frégouville was a Gallo-Roman earthwork that helped travelers find their way as they journeyed through the region. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was about 20 meters high and had a circumference of 400 meters; a ditch 9 to 12 meters wide surrounded it. These three measurements convey more than just its height: they also describe the extent of the earthwork and the width of the surrounding ditch. Weapons and Roman pottery were discovered during the final removal in 1953. These concrete archaeological finds add to its historical role as a landmark.

The fortress history adds a medieval chapter. Around 1200 to 1230, Bertrand de Marestaing, Seigneur de Marestaing, made it possible to build a fortress in Frégouville on the site of a small Romanesque church. The Gallo-Roman motte at the center of the Château fort de Frégouville served as a belfry. The fortress and the motte are associated with different locations: the fortress was built on the site of the small church, while the motte stood at the center of the Château fort. As late as the mid-20th century, the fortifications could still be identified by the ponds around the village.

Gothic Church and Windows

The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a 14th-century Gothic church with a bell-gable tower. Its Gothic windows are arranged as two on the north side, two on the south, and three on the east. The east side therefore has the most windows, while the north and south sides each have two. The stained-glass windows depict Saint Justin, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Augustine, Saint John the Evangelist, John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary and Saint Germaine. These religious subjects complement the information about the church’s construction date, tower style and window arrangement.

Cycling the Au fil de la Save Route

The 29 km Au fil de la Save cycling route is a scenic highlight. It passes through Frégouville between Monferran-Savès and Castillon-Savès. At the start, it follows a shaded stretch along the Save; the route then climbs into the Gers hills and offers changing panoramic views. The scenery thus shifts from the Save to the hills along the way. If you plan to ride the route, check the local signs before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Cravencères, Estramiac, Peyrusse-Grande, Montegut, Campagne-d'Armagnac, Montadet, Cologne, Montégut-Arros.

For the broader travel overview: Gers.