Sustainable and responsible tourism in the Gers

Whether it is called "responsible tourism", "ecotourism" or "slow tourism", the principle is the same. It is about traveling while respecting the territory you are visiting: its culture and its traditions, its heritage and its history, its landscapes and its environment...

To help you do this, we offer alternative accommodation and small structures, such as rural lodgings, receptions on the farm, guest rooms, to feel the soul of this beautiful country with its inhabitants. We take you to farmers' or farmers' markets, go wine tourism in the vineyards, and shopping in designer boutiques, to meet these farmers, these winegrowers, these craftsmen, passionate about their profession and their land. We offer you a selection of tourist sites that highlight the values of ecology, ethics and sustainable development. Finally, we talk to you about the good practices of the ecological tourist…

Opening photo: Sustainable tourism in the Gers - Photo © Vouvraysan AdobeStock

Good practices of slow tourism in the Gers

Live in the present, make authentic encounters, appreciate the sweetness of life and let yourself be carried away by the opportunities... But it goes way beyond that! Being a responsible and respectful tourist is also key. This could be a definition of slow tourism. But in facts and deeds, it is also a question of becoming aware of your impact on a region during your holidays. Here are some actions you can take:

• Avoid destinations that are too far away and favor micro-tourism;
• Use environmentally friendly modes of transport;
• Choose an alternative and responsible accommodation;
• Collect your waste systematically and sort it conscientiously;
• Pay attention to the environment: where you walk and what you could step on, what you pick up or fish...

Choose accommodation with an eco-label

An accommodation with an ecolabel guarantees that your holidays correspond to an ecological ethic. Among other things, renewable energies are favoured, the accommodations are equipped with water savers, your waste is properly sorted, the cleaning products used are ecological, you will eat seasonal, local or short circuit products...

Our selection of responsible housing:

• Lassenat, eco-guest house in Gascony benefits from the “Environment” qualification of Clévacances.
• The Ferme de la Patte d'Oie welcomes you to the farm where agroforestry and agro-ecology are practiced.

Getting around in "soft mobility" mode

You pay attention to your carbon footprint and there is no question of losing your good driving points on consuming holidays. Slowtourism is for you! We have made an overview of the greenest modes of travel and the cities that favor soft mobility:

• If you are staying in a village or small town, exercise by walking for short distances. Also remember to take the country lanes and forest paths to reach some nearby towns.

• Use the bike for medium distances. Cycle paths in towns, Greenways on the outskirts, cycle routes… They have been developed to improve the cohabitation between cars and bicycles and allow you to criss-cross the region, with maximum safety.

• For intercity journeys or in large cities, public transport is ideal. Trains, buses, metro and tram are available for a small fee in most major cities and their outskirts. Everything is there to be visited on foot. In addition, you will have more time to admire the monuments, while being green!

Stroll through the beautiful preserved villages of the Gers and the Green Stations

It's not just cities that have understood the importance of ecological issues. To preserve their environment and their heritage, the villages are also labeled, in order to promote their efforts in terms of mobility, energy, recycling... Here are the towns classified as "Station Verte" in the Gers:

• Montréal-du-Gers, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" on the Routes of Santiago de Compostela
• Lavardens, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France
• Lectoure: from the Roman city of Lectora to blue craftsmanship!
• Mirande and her label “Cittaslow”
• Nogaro, to discover the culture of the bull in the Gers and in Gascony (fr)
  
• Eauze, the ancient capital
• Mauvezin, between upper town and lower town
• Sarrant, one of the most beautiful villages in France
• Samatan and its traditional fat market
• The thermal village of Castéra-Verduzan
• Masseube, a typical village of the Pyrenees
• L'Isle-Jourdain, in the Sava Valley
• But also the Bastide of Fleurance, Barbotan-les-Thermes…

Hike in a “Grand Site de France”

The “Grands Sites de France” are natural spaces, managed according to the principles of sustainable development. The fauna and flora are protected there. Aquatic and terrestrial environments are monitored for the survival and well-being of the animals that live there. The landscapes are preserved to offer you exceptional views, without inappropriate construction. The following towns in the Gers are part of the “Grands Sites de France”:

• Auch and Marciac, the city of Jazz have the label "Grand site Midi-Pyrénées".
• Valence-sur-Baïse along the river (fr), the medieval Bastide of Montréal-du-Gers, the Episcopal city of Condom and Flaran and its remarkable abbey are part of the “Armagnac, Abbey and Cities” territories.

Visit eco-responsible tourist sites

Do you want to visit responsible tourist sites that respect ecological values that are dear to you? Promoting more committed tourism? Consuming intelligently with tourism players who are mobilizing to protect their local environment? You can rely on the “NF Environment Visiting Sites Certification”. You should also know that the Great Sites of France protect natural spaces as well as monuments or tourist areas on their territory.

Discover the terroir on the Gers markets

The market is the heart of a village or a city district. It is a place of life, imbued with the history and culture of the region. You will hear the singing accent of the south, while chatting with its inhabitants. You will feel the fervor and the love of this land, with its farmers and producers. You will delight your taste buds by tasting their local products. You will soak up the atmosphere of the country by participating in their festivals and customs...

Treat yourself to good Gers products in restaurants

Eating seasonal, local and short-circuit products is the guarantee of taking care of yourself, paying attention to your health, while preserving the environment and promoting a local economy... In short, you become an actor in the slowtourism! We reveal to you our good addresses of restaurants which highlight their know-how and the "made in Gers":

• The Auberge du Vieux Pressoir to taste the good products of the L'Bufala Farm.
• Word of mouth in Simorre
• The Larressingle Inn

Wine tourism in the Gers

Wine tourism is a new form of tourism which opens up the Gers estates and vineyards to a wider public. Stroll on the wine-growing hillsides, yoga in the vineyards, escape-game on the theme of wine, food and wine pairing for extraordinary meals... There's something for everyone! We are far from simple wine tasting. You will discover ancient trades, innovative techniques, a fragile vineyard to be protected, passionate and fascinating characters...

Promote local crafts

Favoring local craftsmanship when shopping has many advantages. By this choice, you will promote a local economy and encourage the establishment of new businesses in the region. You will also discover unusual or traditional objects. And above all, you will enjoy yourself and your loved ones. We reveal our shopping tips:

• The Blue of Lectoure
• The Campistron painting workshop
• An excellent and daring Armagnac at Château Arton

We hope we have made you want to slow down and take your time during your next vacation in the Gers.

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