Discovery of the Gimone hills by electric bike

Start: Fortified Church of Simorre

From the church square, head north and turn left onto Boulevard du Nord to join the D12. Take the D12 to the right towards Saramon for 4.5 km.

Turn right onto D242 and turn left towards the village of St Elix d'Astarac. Pass the cemetery and turn left towards the woods housing the work Kaze, by Japanese artist Teruhisa Suzuki.

Continue towards Saramon. Go 1 km to pass the lake and continue along the round path. Pass behind the stadium, turn left onto Rue des Écoles. Turn right towards the church. At the central square, turn left and go up Rue de la Brèche. Turn left onto Boulevard Arnaud Denjoy.

On the D12, before leaving Saramon, turn right onto the D104.

At the bend, follow D283 towards Semezies-Cachan. In the village, turn left and rejoin D283. Continue straight ahead (south) for 6 km until the intersection with D129.

Cross D129 to continue straight along the Lauze. Continue on D283 to the village of Betcave-Aguin. Pass the village and continue straight ahead.

After the village of Meilhan, turn left onto D291. Pass the Maquis de Meilhan memorial and go to the village of Gaujan.

Turn left to pass through the village of Gaujan. Join D12 heading right.

Turn left on D12, direction Villefranche d'Astarac.

Cross Villefranche village and continue straight ahead.

Go to Simorre. After the roundabout, turn right onto Paul St Martin Street to cross the village. Pass shops and the hall to reach the church.

Before leaving:

Ensure the perfect mechanical condition of the bike, including tires and brakes Make sure the bike is properly adjusted to your body shape Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended Bring a repair kit Make sure your smartphone battery is fully charged Remember that the Highway Code applies to cyclists at all times Never ride more than two abreast and keep in single file when traffic conditions require it Respect other road users as you would like them to respect you Choose a route suited to your physical abilities Inform those around you of your itinerary Check the weather conditions A first aid kit is not essential but can be very useful Get information and keep emergency phone numbers handy Respect the environment by not throwing food wrappers by the roadside If you must return at dusk, make sure you can see and are seen

In case of emergency, dial 112

Access to Simorre by car via the RD12

Free parking

The Meilhan maquis was one of the main centers of Gers resistance during World War II. It had 76 maquisards, under the command of its creator: Doctor Raynaud. It was the site of a tragedy: the massacre of the maquisards by German soldiers on July 7, 1944. Today, it is a place of commemoration.

(Source: wikipedia: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maquis_de_Meilhan)

The internationally renowned Japanese artist Teruhisa Suzuki was selected by the Pays Portes de Gascogne to create two works inspired by the Art and Environment movement, permanent and visible in the communes of Villefranche d'Astarac and Saint-Elix d'Astarac.

Kazé, in Saint-Elix, means "wind" in Japanese. This imposing sculpture of woven branches evokes a cyclone trapped in the forest.

Created outdoors, these works allow you to approach nature and the environment differently, through art and an artistic perspective.

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teruhisa_Suzuki