The Pech de l’Estelle loop at Saint-Antoine-de-Ficalba is a lovely short circuit through some really pretty Lot-et-Garonne countryside — a quiet valley with a pond, farmland, oak woods, and a ruined medieval tower you’d never know was there.
The Basics
It’s a 5.3 km loop, rated moderate, and takes about an hour and a half at a comfortable pace. The trail starts from the village of Saint-Antoine-de-Ficalba, about 15 minutes north of Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
The Walk
We did this one in winter, which means mud. Bring a hiking stick — you’ll want it. The trail starts across an open field, then goes into a valley that’s genuinely pretty: a nice pond, trees, the kind of quiet spot that feels tucked away. From there you pass a few farms and the path stays pleasant and flat for a while.
Then you hit the climb. There’s one real hill on this walk, up onto the Pech de l’Estelle itself. Pech is the Occitan word for a hill or peak — you’ll see it everywhere in this part of France. It’s not long but it’s steep enough that you feel it, especially if the ground is wet. Once you’re on top, you’re in oak woods and the walking is easy again.
Along the way you pass the Tour de Péchon, which is the best surprise on the route. It’s the ruined keep of a late 13th or early 14th century fortified house — a square tower, four storeys, with a spiral staircase and pointed-arch windows. It’s been a classified historic monument since 1950. It’s on private property, so you view it from the path, but it’s impressive even from a distance. One of those ruins that makes you wonder how many more are just sitting out there in the countryside, unmarked and unknown.
Practical
This is a good walk for a morning when you don’t want a full-day commitment. It’s close to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, and apart from that one climb, the terrain is easy. Bring water — there’s nothing along the way. And seriously, bring a stick in winter. The muddy sections are no joke.
- “Saint-Antoine-de-Ficalba et Pech de l’Estelle” on AllTrails.
- Reward yourself at Gas Station “La Pause Vintage” — a converted petrol station turned into a 1950s American diner. Hot dogs, drinks, rockabilly decor, and a vintage clothing boutique attached.
gascony girl 