The Marsan Chapel

A country walk around the town of Saint-Lizier leads to the charming chapel of Le Marsan. Follow the pilgrimage route to enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Pyrenees!

Step by step :

0 min. - Departure from the church square in Saint-Lizier. Take the paved road towards "Promenade de la Chapelle du Marsan"

5 min. - At the sign "Clot de Cérizol", follow the road which turns slightly to the right towards "Montjoie en Couserans". Continue straight ahead (leaving the chemin du boulant on the right).

10 min. - Before the electrical transformer and the container, turn right and go up the wide path which goes towards the “Chapelle du Marsan”.
This is an ancient pilgrimage route to Notre Dame du Marsan: the "Virgin of Miracles," renowned in the Middle Ages, as far away as Spain, for curing the Black Death. Once at the bench, take the path that climbs on the left.

20 min. - At the crossroads, continue along the "Chapelle du Marsan" slightly to the left. Continue climbing to reach the top of the hill (passage near the benches). Continue along the path and go through the gate at a large building (retirement home). Then follow the "Chapelle" path, where you will find a panoramic view of the Montcalivert cross and the fortified town of Montjoie.

35 min. - Go straight ahead along the road and cross the nursing home staff parking lot. Walk down the parking lot to the road. Then turn right and follow the road downhill and then uphill.

45 min. - At the top of the hill, immediately turn right onto the path along the large grassy area.

55 min - Walk to the Notre Dame du Marsan chapel.
This building, built in 1881, houses the XNUMXth-century statue of Our Lady of Marsan. In the Middle Ages, it was the object of pilgrimage and drew crowds from all over the region, from Auch and even from Spain. Every Whit Monday, pilgrims still go to this hill carrying the reliquary bust of Saint Lizier.
A beautiful panorama of the high Pyrenean peaks awaits you.

1h 05 min - Take the grassy path down to the right of the chapel and join the path you took on the way out. Go down to the tarmac road. Then turn left, go forward and go up the one-way street to reach the church square (return to the starting point).

Additional Information :
You are in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees Natural Park.

We encourage you to adopt responsible behavior in this fragile and shared environment.

- Stay on the trails and take your waste with you.

- Observe the flora without picking it.

- Stay discreet, for wild animals.

- In summer pasture areas, remember to close fences and gates. Do not approach or feed the animals. If a Patou (a livestock protection dog) approaches you, move away slowly and calmly. Do not make large gestures or shout, even if it barks, as it will consider you a threat. If it follows you, ignore it.

- Swimming in lakes is not recommended. Sunscreen (even organic!) and other cosmetics are a source of pollution in this fragile environment.

- Bivouacking is permitted, but only between 19 p.m. and 9 a.m., and more than an hour's walk from a parking lot.

- During periods of drought, all fires are prohibited. In other cases, fires are only permitted more than 200 meters from a forest. Stoves should be used instead of natural fireplaces.

- In the unlikely event of an encounter with a bear (which will try to avoid us at all costs): approach calmly, move away gradually, and do not run.

We advise you to keep dogs on a leash, especially in summer pasture areas where it would be dangerous for you and your dog if it approached the herds due to the presence of Patous.

In detail

• Distance: 3 km
• Positive elevation: 80 m
• Daily duration: 01h05
• Route type: loop
• Marking precision: Yellow
• Type of land: Earth
• Type of land: Hard surface (tar, cement, floor)

Equipment

• Free parking
• Parking
• Public toilets
• Shaded Picnic area.
• Playground

Services

• Coach access
• Hosting
• Catering