The long climb has brought one up to a lofty heathery moorland, commanding grand views in all directions. On this high plateau, where the River Gers has its source, is the little town of Lannemezan. The church dates back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and has a fine Romanesque doorway.
Pinas, a small slate-roofed village, has picturesque gateways to its farmhouses, and before reaching Montrejeau (pronounced Mont Rejeau), one sees on the left M. le Baron de Lassus’ huge modern Château de Valmirande, built between 1892 and 1898. It commands a magnificent view into a valley leading up to the main mountain chain.
MONTREJEAU
is a small and picturesque town, with red roofs, brightly painted shutters, arcaded streets in the Italian style, and a sixteenth-century Hôtel de Ville, supported on pillars, with the market beneath. The Church of St. Jean has a great octagonal belfry, originally built as the castle keep. The situation of the town on a hill above the beautiful Garonne is delightful. Montrejeau was one of the bastide cities founded in 1272 by the Sénéchal de Toulouse, and was built on a regular plan, as one may see to-day.
A straight and level road by the Garonne leads to St. Gaudens, which is described in the next section.
SECTION XIV
ST. GAUDENS TO CARCASSONNE,
105 MILES
(169 KILOMETRES)
DISTANCES ALONG THE ROUTE
| Kil. | Miles. | |
| St. Gaudens to St. Martory | 19 | 11¾ |
| St. Martory to Mane | 8 | 5 |
| Mane to St. Lizier | 19 | 11¾ |
| St. Lizier to St. Girons | 2 | 1¼ |
| St. Girons to Le Mas-dAzil | 23 | 14¼ |
| [St. Girons to Foix | 43 | 26¾] |
| [Foix to Pamiers | 20 | 12½] |
| Le Mas-dAzil to Pamiers | 28 | 17¼ |
| Pamiers to Mirepoix | 22 | 13¾ |
| Mirepoix to Fanjeaux | 20 | 12¼ |
| Fanjeaux to Montréal | 10 | 6¼ |
| Montréal to Carcassonne | 18 | 11¼ |
NOTES FOR DRIVERS
St. Gaudens to St. Martory.—Nearly level.