Places to See

Auch is the capital of the Gers and its impressive cathedral of St-Marie holds two of the regions finest art works, the Arnaud de Moles stained glass windows and the 113 carved oak choir stalls. Along side the cathedral is the 14th century Tour d’Armangac and the monumental stair with 370 steps. South of the Cathedral is the Quatier De Caillou one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Auch where once Nostradamus briefly stayed in the 1540’s.

At Valence sur Baise you will find the Abbaye de Flaran which is a good example of cistercian architecture.

Condom in the north of the Gers is the capital of the Tenareze Armagnac region. It is a beautiful town centred around the Cathedral of St-Pierre and although its name is often a source of amusement to English speakers it is believed to be derived from two latin words condate and dum, meaning confluence and hill respectively. Just north of Condom is La Romieu Abbey which is a good example of the showy, sophisticated architecture that came from the Papal courts at Avignon.

To the east of Condom are Lectoure and Fleurance. Lectoure is a spectacular town perched on a high rock escarpment with wonderful views stretching all the way to the Pyrenees. It has been an important centre since Gallo-Roman times and was the main residence of the Counts of Armagnac. Fleurance is a bastide town and an important market town with one of the best markets in the Gers.

In the south of the department the main towns are Mirande and Marciac. Mirande is a fine example of a 13th Century bastide and now holds an internationally famous country and western festival each year. Marciac is well-known for its world famous jazz festival. Ouside of the August festival it is an attractive quiet bastide town with some good cafes and restaurants.

Things to do

At Castera Verduzan, which is an eight minute drive from us, is a thermal spa, which offers many treatments and its waters are said to help digestive and intestinal problems; a casino and a large swimming lake.

You can go canoeing on the river Baise at Beaucaire, five minutes from us.

If you are a keen golfer then there are three golf courses within an half hour drive from us. There is Golf d’Embats, which is an 18 hole course at Auch; Golf de Guinlet, another 18 hole course at Eauze; and Golf de Fleurance, which is a 9 hole course just outside of Fleurance and which has been classified by the The European Golf magazine as one of the top thirty nine hole courses in France.

We can arrange a trip in a hot air a ballon for you.

At Nogaro there are regular bike, car and lorry races and you can also take a racing car for a spin. In Auch you can go quad biking.

Festivals

During the summer the gers is alive with local and international festivals and amongst the most important are the following

Country Music Festival - 12 to 15 July

This is held in Mirande and is a celebration of Country and Western Music. Numerous Concerts with well known country music stars and various outside displays such as old american cars. Special Guest stars this year are the Ewing Family from Dallas

Tempo Latino - 26 to 29 July

This festival is held in Vic-Fezensac and there are various concerts around the theme of afro-cuban, salsa and latin music. Stars this year include Willie Colon.

Jazz in Marciac - 30 July to 15 August

This is an internationally famous Jazz festival held in Marciac. Stars playing at the festival this year include Joe Cocker, Hank Jones, Gipsy Swing Project and many more. There are various displays around the main arena and in the main town free concerts are held near the town hall.

Vide Greniers, Brocantes and Night Markets

During the summner mainly on Saturdays and Sundays there are many Vide Greniers being held. The translation of Vide Grenier is empty loft and is the french equivalent of a car boot sale.

During July and August there are various night markets being held. The largest being at Vic Fezensac. You can sample local produce and watch local craftsmen at work.