From Mont-de-Marsan, the route rolls out of the last Landes pines and into the Gers: narrow roads, farms, open fields, sunflower country and the first Armagnac hills. At around 104 km, with almost 1,000 m of climbing, this is a longer day, but the work comes in waves rather than one big climb. Beyond the Nogaro area, the views open up and villages sit on small ridges. Auch makes a proper finish above the Gers, with Sainte-Marie Cathedral closing the day in stone.
