V81 - STAGE 2 LOURDES SÉMÉAC

This section of the V81 starts in Lourdes at the Tydos roundabout (trinquet, former livestock market), 100m from the beginning of the Voie Verte des Gaves (Km0). The V81 climbs following Av. V. Hugo which crosses the ring road, then Av. de Sarsan to the campsite, then Av. J. Moulin 50m to the intersection with Chemin de Sarsan (Km 1). It follows this path, which becomes Chemin de Sarsan à Lézignan, and Rue de la Fontaine, narrow and little trafficked, flat but with degraded pavement (holes).
At the Lézignan washhouse (Km 3.1) it follows the D7 which climbs steeply over 1.2km, with two hairpin bends with slopes over 10%. Beautiful views.
At Bourréac (rest stop behind the shelter where water and toilets are closed!), the V81 descends very steeply (over 10% in places) over 1.4km, a beautiful descent into a wild valley, crossing Paréac, a Bigourdan village with dark roofs... The gentle descent continues to the D7-D407 intersection and Orincles church (Km 9.2). Between Orincles and Bénac (corner Rue de l’Échez) the official route follows the flat D5, linear, in full sun and where cars go fast: arrival in Bénac in 3km (Km 12.2). We recommend a bucolic alternative on small rural paths on the left bank of the Échez: at the Orincles church take opposite Rue St-Vincent, cross the Échez and follow the stone paths for 500m then paved ones, calm, magnificent... After Bary, before a small bridge, turn right onto Chemin de Castaings which returns to the D7 crossing the Échez (600m longer but 3.8km pleasant). Bénac has a beautiful church (water at cemetery), a bar-restaurant, and streets with Bigourdan houses with slate roofs...
After a flat section, the paved path ascends with several steep portions, the longest over 1.2km. You cross the Subercarrère wood or Bois de Lourdes.
At the village exit follow the D407 which climbs to the village of Lanne, also Bigourdan with narrow streets, up to the church (Km 15.3). See the local producers' restaurant. It is by Rue du Lavoir, Rue Dare Hourcade and Rue du Vignemale that you descend to Louey and its beautiful church (Km 16.6), the last 600 meters shared with the Chemin Vert (signage!). You must then follow the dangerous D7 because drivers ignore the 30km/h limit and "yield" signs, caution. After crossing the D939 (roundabout) continue on a less trafficked RD7, then turn right onto Rue Victor Hugo ... to a short Voie Verte in Juillan, with a possible stop "Place du Juncassa" (Km 19.3) with a nice map, tables, but no water or toilets. After crossing the center of Juillan and seeing the washhouse along the Geune, you come to an intersection of two paths marked by a round white sign bordered in red: "No vehicles except residents and those with rights" (Km 20.6). Right is Chemin de la Moule. The V81 proceeds ahead on Chemin du Saillet, a true 1.1km Voie Verte. At the intersection with the D7 (Km 21.8) you must follow it for 1.8km in an industrial zone, then turn right onto streets bordering the Bastillac industrial zone until you find, behind the swimming pool (Km 24.6) a short Voie Verte which follows the Échez and joins the Chemin Vert parking (Km 25.1), 270m from Avenue d’Azereix (ENSI Tarbes) (Km 25.3).
The route in the Tarbes crossing (8.2km). At the Chemin Vert car park (Km 25.1), the V81 crosses the boulevard on a footbridge, and reaches Avenue d’Azereix, opposite ENSI of Tarbes. It follows this avenue towards the city center, passing Bd Henry and Promenade du Pateau, just behind the Haras de Tarbes. After a difficult section at Cours de Reffye, the V81 passes in front of the Tourist Office and arrives at Place Verdun. There a "Tarbes-center" variant leads to Place Jean-Jaurès and the Town Hall (Km 28.5) (see nearby Halle Brauhauban and its market, and in Saint-Pierre alley the mural about tango). Along Rue André Hourcade the V81 skirts the remarkable Massey Garden, worth visiting - on foot, bike held by hand -, ideal for a break (benches, public toilets, cafeteria). Via Rue E. Pereire and Bd du Martinet, then left on Rue Anselme Frogé, the route crosses the Adour, crossing the beautiful Voie Verte du Camin d’Adour which runs along the Adour for 12km (possibility to follow it south for 4km to the Soues lake, pleasant for a rest and picnic). Then the V81 joins Rue de l’Adour which runs along this river. After a detour via Rue E. Dallas, the V81 enters the Séméac municipality and Rue de la République. This section ends at the Séméac Town Hall (Km 33.5).

V81