Lectoure 4.8

Lectoure is a commune in the Gers department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France.It is located 32km north of Auch, the capital of the department, 30km south of Agen and approximately 76km northwest of Toulouse.GeographyThe village is located on the right bank of the Gers, which flows north through the western part of the commune. The river Auroue forms part of the commune's southeastern and northeastern borders.HistoryLectoure was a prehistoric oppidum, capital of Lactorates.The barbarian invasions successive forcing residents to reconsider the height, to raise the walls and make Lectoure a stronghold for centuries.Sites of interestLectoure has been designated as a "town of art and history" (French: Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire) by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication since 1985. The town hall was built between 1676 and 1682 by bishop Hugues de Bar.Way of St. JamesLectoure is a town on the Via Podiensis, one of the three major French arms of the Way of St. James. This route is followed by those making the pilgrimage from Le Puy by way of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostella in northwest Spain. Pilgrims arrive at Lectoure after Miradoux and next pass through La Romieu.