Stroll in the wood
Going far has become complicated, so you have decided to experiment with a micro-adventure as a family: hiring a Camper in the heart of the countryside and settling by a lake. It is the first time, and you are of a cautious nature. You have chosen Whaka Lodge in the Gers.
Three clicks to book it, and you’re off for a countryside weekend in a lovely Zen campsite in the Gers. Moreover since arriving on Whaka Lodge, you have set up your camper by the lake, you know you’re in the right place, and already feel you’re mind thanking you!
From your arrival, the children made a splash in the heated swimming pool and in the swimming lake in complete safety. You make the most of it to go and find the “Bobo camper kit” that you have booked: a hammock, a light garland to brighten up the evenings, and a hurricane lamp to go on an adventure. You play it safe by camping in style! Micro-adventure, fair enough, but with luxury and fresh rosé wine!
The Gers inhabitants tell you. The Gers is the most beautiful of departments. You have decided to check this out for yourself! The team at Whaka Lodge have prepared for you a micro-adventure “atmosphere at the end of the world”! You go on a bike ride for a day, on small deserted roads, discovering the famous Gers hillsides.
The itinerary is punctuated with nuggets: Château d’Artiguieu castle in the depths of a sublime valley, the Forêt d’Armagnac national forest or sometimes does crossing your path, and the Château du Garrané castle. Stop at Durban; 150 inhabitants, its famous windmill, a town hall, a church and a former feudal château. The end of the world and slow tourism…You make the most of it to admire the Pyrenees mountain range. Each time, an opportunity to post on Instagram!
Soon you come to the La Fénière restaurant, a dive into the genuine Gers, a friendly welcome, its festive unforgettable atmosphere, with its grills using locally grown produce. A little treetop adventure to stomach, a short tour of the quirky flea market, and back again to admire the fantastic viewpoints at the end of the world, within reach, both rare and enabling you to switch off. When you return, you will have understood what slow tourism means.
Your children have found friends, thus what a delight to be able to play a few rounds of golf on this undulating 9-hole course, a course between the hillsides and forests, with superb views over the Pyrenees in the distance. After cycling during this refreshing weekend break in the country, exactly what you needed, what a pity that your swing is not what it was!
Moreover as the day has a sport bias, and to seal the meeting with the children, you organize a doubles tennis match, parents against children. The losing team prepares the meal.
This morning, it is the Arles route, on which you pursue your countryside weekend, with a hike on the pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela, going between Auch and Barran. Just a short route, with slopes, the Auch forest, duck rearing, some Armagnac vineyards, this sports-based walk of 18 km is an excellent way to discover the Gers, during your countryside weekend.
Your walk has exhausted you, and returning to Whaka lodge, you smell the aroma of the “Wine & Food Bar”, which instantly awakes your taste buds. You then very much like this place, this tapas bar laid out with the same attention to detail as the Galapagos or Zanzibar cabins, located at the edge of the lake, and which you have been able to visit, an idea for a further romantic weekend. They have an ethnic décor which reminds you how much your hosts enjoy travelling. Thus this evening, you will begin the apéritif with a lovely plancha, having produce from the Gers, with an excellent glass of red wine. To start!
Head for the Pyrenees to breathe the fresh mountain air! This morning, you go to Loudenvielle, to cover a delightful itinerary without great difficulty, which enables you to discover exceptional panoramas over the Lac de Génos lake, and its crystal-clear waters. And these lawns by the lake are certainly the perfect spot for a good Gascon picnic, with a magical view over the Pyrenees.
Finally there you have it, it was the unspoken aim of your day. On the southern bank of the Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle lake is the Balnéa thermal spa centre, the largest wellness complex of the Pyrenees! An amazing “Zen” location with Inca, Roman, Japanese and Amerindian baths, exactly what you were dreaming of after these long and beautiful hours of walking. Fully south, facing the sun, you go into “solar” mode, to recharge your batteries!
This countryside weekend comes to an end, and you do not regret choosing a countryside campsite in the Gers, for this very welcome refreshing break in the country. One last look at the large trees of this restorative location, a final smile at the hosts overcomes the barrier between you, you are already thinking of the next time you commune with nature!
