Pavie: Bastide, Heritage and Nature

For planning purposes, durations, reservations and event dates vary.

Bastide and architectural history

Pavie is a medieval bastide founded in 1281 by Count Bernard IV d’Astarac and Abbot Hugues de Cadeux of Berdoues Abbey. The parish church of Saint-Pierre was built in the late 13th or early 14th century, after the bastide was founded. This places the church’s construction in the early history of the town without conflating the two dates.

A former chapel also serves a cultural purpose today: a media library with a library was established in the chapel of the Carmelite monastery. The statuette of Notre-Dame-du-Cédon is a separate object. It is dated to the late 12th or 13th century and is now in the treasury of Auch Cathedral.

The Pont du Xiième Siècle is near the bastide and dates from the late 13th century. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1941. Its three low pointed arches are of different sizes, with the middle arch being the largest. Together with the parish church, built later, the bridge offers another glimpse into Pavie’s medieval architectural history.

Landscape and walking route

The Coteaux du Sousson de Samaran à Pavie ZNIEFF area is classified as a type 2 area. It stretches from the north of Pavie to Samaran in the south. One specific circular route from Pavie is the Chemin de Terre Blanche: it is 4 kilometres long, rated easy, and runs along wooded paths and the banks of the Gers.

Allow about 1 hour and 25 minutes for the walk. The approximate duration will help you plan how much time to set aside for the loop; also check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change. The circular route and the ZNIEFF area offer different points of interest for exploring nature and the landscape.

Guided tours and event dates

The Trad'Envie festival takes place every year in early May in Pavie and is dedicated to traditional music and song. The programme includes concerts, dance events, Trad’Apéros, food and drink, and workshops. The programme may vary from one edition to another, so check the dates and programme for the year of your trip.

The Notre-Dame-du-Cédon chapel, rebuilt in the 19th century, serves as a pilgrimage centre once a year. If you are planning a visit in connection with the pilgrimage, check the specific dates in advance.

Guided tours in Pavie are offered year-round by guides-conférenciers of the Pays d'art et d'histoire Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne. Groups must book in advance; individual visitors should check the schedule. Confirm dates and availability with the tourist office before adding a tour to your plans.

A producers’ market is scheduled for Wednesday mornings in Pavie in 2026. Check before your visit to see whether this schedule is still in effect.

Planning your trip therefore involves different time considerations: the walk has an approximate duration, group tours require a reservation, and the festival and pilgrimage take place on specific dates. This will help you decide whether an event date or the time needed for the walk should shape your stay in Pavie more.

Discover more destinations: Laas, Giscaro, Samatan, Maulichères, Mirande, Pouy-Roquelaure, Montadet, Montégut-Arros

For the regional travel overview: Gers.