CHEMIN DE HALAGE SENTIER DE LA BAÏSE

- A little history The Baïse has been navigable since the Middle Ages: it was developed under Henri IV and it was Louis XIV who first ordered a study to extend navigation to Condom. From the 19th century onwards, the towpath was used for commercial shipping for the export of Armagnac brandy, cereals, wood and gravel. In the opposite direction, goods from the colonial trade, such as sugar, cotton, salt and coal, were brought back from Bordeaux on barges pulled by horses, oxen and men from the riverbank, on the towpath. - The first section, from the port of Valence sur Baïse to the Abbey of Flaran, (3 km) has been open since 2016 with a peaceful picnic area under a poplar grove. - The second section, from Flaran Abbey to the double manual lock at Graziac, (4 km) has been completed since June 2020 and is open for peaceful walks. This site of Graziac has been remarkably developed around its double manual lock, with a shaded and peaceful picnic area, a tourist entertainment area with trees, a car park with 20 spaces and dry toilets. You will discover the lock keeper's house and the manual double lock of Graziac. This lock, with multiple locks, is a remarkable construction because of its technical and architectural characteristics (19th century) and its atypical mode of operation. While most locks are automated, the Graziac double lock can only be passed by boaters in the presence of lock officials. A charming, intimate and secret place, this site is very popular with boaters, walkers and tourists. - The third section, from Graziac to Condom - Gauge lock - (4 km) is also finished. You can then arrive at the port of Condom and continue your walk or bike ride by taking the green way (old railway) to Lagraulet (20 km). Thus, the 11 km of the "Sentier de la Baïse" are completely open for a peaceful and relaxing walk.