Visit the Gers with the family

The Gers is a rural region. It is an ideal family destination for spending holidays in the countryside. Calm, rest and relaxation await you... But the youngest also want to have fun. So if you're wondering how to keep the kids busy? What to visit in the Gers as a family? We are going to give you our best ideas for family activities to please young and old alike.

Photos of the article: Guide du Gers unless otherwise stated

1) Go back in time in the Châteaux du Gers

The best castles in the Gers for families are:

• The Château Renaissance de Caumont: treasure hunt, escape-game in the underground passages of the castle, interactive game, concert, flea market, await you there.
• The Château de Termes-d'Armagnac for its reconstructions of daily life in the Middle Ages.
• The Medieval Fortress of Larressingle and its medieval siege camp, to discover the art of war, while having fun.

2) Take a walk in the Gers parks and gardens

The most fun and educational parks in the Gers for children are:

• La Ferme des Étoiles is a wooded and flowered park, near Lectoure. In the middle of the Gers countryside, the site is preserved and dimly lit. You will make exceptional astronomical observations there, during its evenings, meals, courses... It has been classified by the Guide du Routard as one of the 8 best sites in the world to observe the universe!
• The Jardin de La Nourrice, in Aubiet, is a reference site for permaculture. Workshops are organized to make families discover its agricultural principles and the interest of associating the vegetable garden and the forest.
• The Jû-Belloc Artpiculture Garden is a green space, dedicated to biodiversity. An interpretation trail has been laid out with fun and educational workshops, to be carried out with the family.

3) Hike with the family

The easiest hikes with children are:

• The Armagnac Greenway criss-crosses the wine-growing valleys around Condom. It is paved, with low gradients. It is ideal for an outing with strollers or small bikes!
• The Monferran-Plavès Forest discovery trail allows you to discover the heart of the Gers.
• The Randoland in the footsteps of the dragon of Saint-Majan takes you near Lombèz, at the gates of Gascony.

4) Cycling on the roads of the Gers

As a family, it is better to choose roads that are not very busy but well maintained and without elevation. Here is a selection of family bike rides in the Gers:

• The Armagnac Greenway is an old railway line. It is also popular with hikers and cyclists.
• For alternative cycling, try the Vélorail de l'Armagnac, near Nogaro.
• The Baïse Valley Cycle Route shows you the little Gers heritage: mills and locks, on the program.
• Leaving from Isle-Jourdain, the former A380 transport route has been transformed into a greenway. Without elevation, it is very pleasant for families.

5) Sailing on the Baïse

The Baïse is a calm river in a natural setting. The Canoës de Beaucaire rent canoes and show you the best places to observe the local fauna and flora at leisure. You will spend a magical day or moment on the water…

Photo © Les Canoës de Beaucaire

6) Have fun in the aquatic leisure bases

The most famous leisure centers in the Gers are:

• The Aignan leisure center is surrounded by the forest. A tree climbing course allows you to take a little height to admire the lake. It is an ideal site for nature lovers.
• The Castera-Verduzan leisure center has large inflatable structures for family fun.
• The Gondrin leisure park is made up of large swimming pools, with water games for the little ones and giant slides for the older ones. Something to delight the whole family!

7) Show wild and domestic animals to children

Between educational farms and animal parks, you have the choice:

• La Ferme Au Galauzoue, in Lagraulet-du-Gers, is an equestrian center that offers baby ponies from 2 years old! The youngest will also have a first contact with farmyard animals.
• The Raptor Park reveals the life of these amazing birds during magnificent shows.
• More unusual, do not miss an encounter with animals from the other side of the world, at the Vallon des kangourous, near Saint-Clar.

8) Learn as a family in museums

The most entertaining and lively museums in the Gers are:

• The Gallo-Roman city of Elusa, the former ancient capital of the Gers, offers an interactive visit to the Domus de Cieutat. If you are interested in this period, go to Villa Séviac, near Montreal-du-Gers.
• The Public School Museum, in Saint-Clar for a return to the school of yesteryear.
• The Musée d'Artagnan in Lupiac reveals all the secrets of this emblematic character, from the daily life of a king's musketeer to the novel by Alexandre Dumas.

9) Visit the most beautiful villages

The most popular villages for children:

• Lavardens and its Moulin des Marionnettes.
• La Romieu to tell children the legend of Angeline's cats.
• La bastide de Montfort, for its audio-guided tour by the inhabitants of the city, in the form of puzzles to be solved.

10) Go wine tourism

We don't think much about it, but wine tourism can be an unusual idea to please both children and adults. Country walk in the vineyards, discovery of the terroir and regional specialties, original and family games... There is no doubt that you will be surprised:

• On the Domaine du Château Viella, you will appreciate the Jardins d'Auré, with its vegetable garden, its garden of scents and its flowery pergola. This is a good opportunity to get to know the wine-growing region of Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh better.
• La Maison de Ninan offers you the opportunity to explore the vineyard effortlessly thanks to all-terrain electric scooters and electric bikes, equipped with a cart for children. Remember to order your picnic on site, accompanied by a delicious Saint-Mont.
• The Domaine d'Uby is home to Cistudes turtles. Children will be able to observe these protected animals during your tasting of Côtes de Gascogne.

You are now ready for a successful family holiday in the Gers!

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