Discover Arblade-le-Bas

Arblade-le-Bas brings together the Church of Saint Martin, traces of a fortified past and the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. The village sits on a hill and offers views across Gascony.

Pilgrimage History and the Church of Saint Martin

The Church of Saint Martin is dedicated to Saint Martin and dates back to the 13th century. It welcomes pilgrims on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela every year. At the same time, the church is closed and can only be viewed from the outside. Check the current access conditions before your visit; for now, the church is intended to be viewed from the outside.

The Hospital of Cosset is also part of the area’s historic pilgrimage heritage. It was founded around 1118 by the Templars of Manciet, among the hills of Arblade-le-Bas, Vergoignan and Bernède, and provided lodging for pilgrims on the Way of St James. The church and hospital therefore represent different aspects of pilgrimage: the church’s annual connection with pilgrims and the hospital’s historic role as a place of lodging.

The GR65, also known as the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela via Le Puy-en-Velay, crosses the tourist area for around 20 kilometres, from Arblade-le-Bas to Latrille.

Village Layout and Historic Traces

The village centre is clustered around the remains of a fortified castle built in the Gascon style. The former feudal castle is visible from the road; traces of moats and a former drawbridge remain. These details point to the village’s history of fortification.

Other buildings add to the picture, representing different centuries. The former village school building, now used as the town hall, dates from the late 19th century. The Church of Saint Martin is much older, dating back to the 13th century. A walk around the village therefore takes you past several points of historical interest: the medieval church, the castle remains and the former school building, now serving as the town hall.

Walking Route Information

When it comes to the pilgrimage routes, it is important to distinguish between the old route and how it is used today. Local Route No. 1 follows the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, which is no longer passable. Pilgrims now use the road instead. You may need to confirm the current route locally, so ask for information before setting off.

The surfaces on the “Rando douce - LEN” circular route are described in more detail: around a quarter of the route is on paved surfaces, and around three quarters on grassy paths and woodland tracks. The circular route starts and ends at the town hall car park. Check the parking rules locally in case they have changed.

A covered picnic area is located near the salle des fêtes. Check the current access conditions in advance. Together with the views across Gascony, this location provides another useful point of reference when planning your stay in Arblade-le-Bas.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Michel, Monlaur-Bernet, Miélan, Leboulin, Terraube, Estipouy, Troncens, Jû-Belloc.

For the broader travel overview: Gers.