A former railway line, the Circuit Paul Armagnac and the wall paintings in the Collégiale Saint-Nicolas reveal different sides of Nogaro. Other highlights include the Course Landaise, a stage on the Way of St James and insights into Armagnac production. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on a ride through the countryside, motorsport, heritage or a connection to the pilgrimage route.
Explore the Gascon countryside by Vélorail
The Vélorail de l’Armagnac follows a former railway line through the Gascon countryside. Electric assistance takes you through vineyards and fields, as well as shaded stretches. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours for the ride. In summer, twilight departures and culinary tours are also offered. These seasonal options depend on the annual schedule, so check the dates for your stay in advance.
The approximate duration gives you a practical guide for planning your day, while making clear that the ride is not a longer stay. Here, the scenery and the ride go hand in hand: the route passes through the vineyards, fields and shaded areas mentioned above. If you are interested in this kind of tour, you can also distinguish the seasonal culinary options from the regular rides and check which option suits your travel dates.
Motorsport at the Circuit Paul Armagnac
The Circuit Paul Armagnac has a driving school that operates year-round. It offers driving courses and individual or corporate driving experiences, with vehicles ranging from the Clio RS to the Porsche GT3. The circuit also hosts car and motorcycle club days, when motorsport enthusiasts can enjoy their sport in safe conditions. The driving school and club days are therefore different ways for visitors to get involved in motorsport.
The circuit is used on nearly 300 days a year. This frequency of use and the events programme may change. If you are planning a visit or driving experience, check the current dates and offers. This will help you distinguish between the driving school, described as operating year-round, and the club days, whose programme may change.
Collégiale Saint-Nicolas and Course Landaise
The Collégiale Saint-Nicolas was consecrated in 1060 and is classified as a historic monument. A particularly notable feature is the wall paintings in the northern apsidiole: in eight consecutive scenes, they depict part of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence and show the oldest representation of pilgrims. The church thus offers a tangible introduction to sacred art, with motifs that unfold in a connected sequence of scenes.
The Arènes de Nogaro, built in 1929, offer a different cultural focus. They are typical of the Course Landaise, a Gascon sport in which men face a cow using evasive moves and leaps. The church and the arena represent different themes: here, wall paintings and the martyrdom of a saint; there, the regional tradition of the Course Landaise.
Nogaro as a stage on the GR 65
Nogaro is a stage on the GR 65, the Way of St James. For travellers with a connection to the pilgrimage route, this is a distinct reason to include the town in their plans. It sets Nogaro apart from individual activities and cultural sites: here, the focus is on the town as a stage on a longer route. This travel purpose can therefore be considered separately from a visit to the circuit or the Collégiale.
Discover how Armagnac is made
Les Hauts de Montrouge offers tours of its facilities. The different stages of production are explained, from receiving the grapes and making the wine to distilling and ageing the Armagnacs. The process shows which production stages are involved and gives visitors an insight into the sequence from grape to matured Armagnac. If you would like to include this tour in your trip, check the available dates and booking arrangements in advance.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Aubiet, Saint-Maur, Estramiac, Razengues, Séailles, Gensac, Seysses-Savès, Cazaux-Savès.
For the broader travel overview: Gers.
