What to do in the Gers in summer

You have chosen the Gers for your next summer holiday destination. Wondering what to do in the Gers in summer? We have concocted a great program for you: visits, fun leisure activities and sports... We offer you a Top 10 of the coolest activities to do in the Gers in summer!

Opening photo of the article: JackF | Adobe Stock

Photos of the article: Guide du Gers, unless otherwise stated

1) Swimming in the lakes and having fun in the Gers leisure centers

It's hot and you probably want to swim? In the Gers, there are many bodies of water waiting for you and no less than 32 beaches are at your disposal! Some are even equipped with leisure bases, with attractions for the whole family. Here are the most beautiful lakes and ponds in the Gers:

• In the north of the Gers: The Parc de Loisirs de Gondrin is an aquatic center near Valence-sur-Baïse.

• In the center of the Gers: The Castera-Verduzan Water Leisure Base, near Vic-Fezensac, is renowned for its many activities: inflatable games and aquazone!

• To the east of the department: Lac de Lupiac is a large swimming and fishing lake of 13 ha.

• To the west: The nautical base of Saint-Clar allows you to take advantage of this natural and preserved environment.

Photo © Castera-Verduzan Aquatic Leisure Center

2) Go for a water ride on the Gers rivers

A gentle walk along the water, does that tempt you? We recommend a trip on the Baïse with Les Canoës de Beaucaire. The Baïse crosses the Gers from south to north. Over a length of 3 kilometers, you will have an overview of the Gers fauna and flora. To rent your canoes, go to Valence-sur-Baïse, between the vineyards and the valleys of the Gers.

3) Take a walk in the most beautiful villages of the Gers

The Gers is a region steeped in history, which can be read through its old stones. You will see several medieval towns and villages there. Whether you like strolling through the alleys of the Middle Ages, admiring the religious heritage, typical of the stages on the way to Santiago de Compostela, or even the circular bastides and their fortifications, you will be served in the Gers. We invite you to visit the following villages:

• Between the vineyards and the Gers valleys: The circular bastide of Fourcès, jewel of Armagnac.
• In the heart of the Gers: Lavardens, one of the “Most beautiful villages in France”.
• In the natural balcony of the Pyrenees: Lupiac, the city of d'Artagnan (fr).
  
• At the gates of Gascony: Mauvezin, its upper and lower town.

4) Relax in parks and gardens

You want to relax in a charming garden, have a picnic with your family or do some sport in a green space. In the area there are all kinds of parks and gardens. We take you to the most innovative vegetable gardens, aromatic crops and scent gardens, through the flowerbeds and wooded parks of the Gers, to make plant discoveries:

• The Remarkable Gardens of the Hillen Pottery are punctuated by 7 water points to refresh you.
• The Palmeraie du Sarthou is an exotic and exotic place.
• Le Jardin de la Nourrice, in Gimont, is a space dedicated to permaculture and agroforestry. You will appreciate the walks under the forest cover of this unusual garden.
• The Jardins de Coursiana, in La Romieu, are very bucolic and flowery English-style gardens.

5) Go back in time in the Châteaux du Gers

The impressive walls of the castles of the Gers offer you a very pleasant coolness during the summer. In addition, entertainment takes place there during the tourist season and you will do activities that are just as fun as they are instructive, as a family. We have selected the liveliest castles in the Gers:

• The Medieval Fortress of Larressingle and its medieval siege camp.

• The village of second-hand goods dealers and artists in the former county castle of Lectoure.

• The art center of the Château de Lavardens.
• The Domaine de Caumont with its Renaissance castle and its activities in the park.

6) During the summer workshops, in the cultural spaces of the Gers

Whether you are interested in history, art, the local environment or ancient crafts and trades, there really is something for everyone. During the summer season, workshops and specific activities are planned to learn while having fun and experimenting with the family. Often, museums are air-conditioned for your comfort. Our selection of fun or typical Gers museums:

• The Gallo-Roman city of Elusa, the ancient ancient capital of the Gers.

• The Treasury Museum of Auch Cathedral.

• The Musée d'Artagnan, in Lupiac on the famous character of Alexandre Dumas.
• Museum of Foie Gras and popular traditions, Samatan.

7) Hike in the Gers countryside

The Gers is a rural department. This is the ideal place for hiking in the great outdoors! This territory is crossed by the famous paths of Compostela. Charming paths wind through the countryside, between meadows and forests. Our hiking tips:

• The Armagnac Greenway, from Condom.

• The Ways of Santiago de Compostela.

• The “Sentier des dovecotes” in Sarrant.

• The Kazé hiking trail winds through the forest of Saint-Elix-d'Astarac, to reveal the land art works of the artist Teruhisa Suzuki.

8) Cycling on the hills and valleys of the Gers

The Gers favors green tourism. Road bike enthusiasts will appreciate its cycle paths and greenways. Athletes, meanwhile, will have fun mountain biking on its forest trails and hurtle down the slopes of its wine-growing hillsides.

• The Baïse Valley Cycle Route, on the banks of the Baïse.
• The Greenway from the Berges du Gers to Auch.
• La Maison de Ninan, in the Val de l'Adour, invites you to combine a ride on electrically assisted bicycles or all-terrain electric scooters with a tasting of Saint-Monts wines.

9) Visit lively tourist sites

Original guided tour, show of all kinds, unusual activity or awareness-raising workshop… The tourist sites come alive during the summer months. We offer you pleasant visits to do in the summer with your family:

• The Birds of Prey Park has an additional show during the summer: the “Medieval Equestrian Games”.
• The Water House and the natural site of Jû-Belloc and canoe tours on the Adour.
• The Maison des Marionnettes in Vic-Fezensac offers shows for children every day in July and August.

10) Wine tourism in the Gers vineyards

The Gers is a wine region. If the "Côtes de Gascogne" and the "Madiran" are Gers wines whose reputation is second to none, you might be surprised by the "Pacherenc du Vil-Bilh" or the "Saint-Mont". The following areas practice wine tourism:

• The Domaine du Château Viella makes you taste wines from Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. You can also stroll through the Jardin d'Auré, a space of scents and delicacies.
• At Château de Salles, passionate Armagnac growers and producers will introduce you to the distillation of Armagnac and reveal the secrets of this divine beverage. A very intimate visit will be offered by appointment.

We wish you a great summer vacation in the Gers!

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