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Gers, Holidays in Gers

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Presentation and geography

Gers in France and Occitania

The Gers is a territory in the southwest of France where life is good and you can enjoy exquisite vacations.

Nestled in the heart of Gascony, in the far west of the Occitanie region, the Gers has so much to offer that the list could not be exhaustive! The most rural territory in France, it is nonetheless internationally renowned for its fine gastronomy, the charm of its gentle rolling hills adorned with a thousand sunflowers in summer, the quality and diversity of its architectural heritage, not to mention the Gascon hospitality that no longer has to prove itself... The adjectives that evoke its generous and welcoming lands are tranquility, good manners and authenticity. In the footsteps of d'Artagnan, the most famous of the musketeers, or on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, by bike on quiet and little-used roads, on horseback for unforgettable adventures, the Gers deploys its many facets to please vacationers. From north to south, from east to west, it is a festival of sumptuous landscapes and gourmet delights.

Village of Larressingle

The rich, bright valleys, dotted with rivers and streams, have encouraged the development of a colorful agriculture. Admire the mosaic of fields that stretch across the countryside ! Set off on a trip to the rocky soils of Armagnac in the north to contemplate, and above all taste, the product of the vines, which is the pride of the Gascons: wines, brandy, aperitifs...

The hillsides of the center are ideal for livestock farming. Thus, the Blonde d'Aquitaine, the Gascon Beef and the precious poultry (geese, ducks) frolic in the open air before delighting the taste buds of epicureans. It is also thanks to the know-how of its inhabitants that the Gers can claim to be a rapidly expanding rural tourism destination : farm holidays, visits to vineyards, long hikes on the 3,500 km of trails between ridges and valleys... " Slow tourism" is an identity value defended by this department dear to the hearts of the French, but also popular with foreign tourists.

The vineyards of Gers

The Gers is a destination of nature and gastronomy but also of heritage. Lovers of picturesque towns and villages (Auch, Montesquiou, Samatan, Condom...), of characterful bastides (Saint-Clar, Marciac, Gimont, Barran...) decorated with beautiful stones, of atypical castles and castelnaux (Lavardens, Mauvezin...), of abbeys and rural churches (Lectoure, La Romieu, l'Isle-Jourdain...) will not be disappointed.

Gers is:

5 most beautiful villages in France: Fourcès, Larressingle, Lavardens, Montréal, Sarrant ;
Many flowery villages (Castin, Castelnau-Barbarens, etc.);
Countless fat markets, traditional markets, gourmet markets (Eauze, Masseube, Mirande, etc.) held in historic halls...

Are you wavering? Don’t hesitate!

Take the time to discover this attractive area to explore. The calm of the countryside is a joy. The low population density of the Gers and the tranquility that reigns there, even in the heart of summer, make driving pleasant and relaxed.

Café terrace, an autumn morning in Eauze

The climate of Gers

The climate of Gers (also nicknamed Little Tuscany) is mild. This is one of the reasons why agriculture and livestock farming have developed so much there. From a tourist point of view, it is a department that can be visited all year round.

If the Gascon is used to possible heat peaks in summer, the holidaymaker will know how to find refuge among the old stones or enjoy the coolness of the many ponds and rivers ! In winter, the rare frosts and the temperate inter-seasons offer an interesting landscape palette of greens in spring, then yellows/oranges and reds in autumn. Nature is beautiful and generous in all seasons in this agricultural department.

The lush vegetation in Montréal-du-Gers

The beautiful sunshine of the Gers has earned it many followers and a predisposition to the use of solar energy. The department is also classified as a Positive Energy Territory for Green Growth. The locals rightly celebrate this microclimate, favored by the influence of the Bay of Biscay. The Autan wind from the Mediterranean is not very virulent. The most feared weather vagaries in the Gers are those of the sometimes violent storms that can occur during the summer heat. The rivers, fed by the Pyrenees basin, are always full and sometimes in flood when the snow melts. As water resources are an important issue in this land of crops, irrigation benefits from the occasionally generous rainfall.

A little taste of Tuscany in Montreal du Gers

The history of Gers

The Gers has no shortage of beautiful stories... It is through the incredible diversity of species trapped in the rock that prehistory is expressed on the lands of the Gers. The fossils found in what was once a jungle, in Montréal-du-Gers, date back 17 million years !

A few thousand years later, in the 12th century, the Gers benefited from a formidable and massive construction campaign for its emancipation, after several periods of unrest and conflict. Medieval stone and brick buildings emerged from the ground, punctuated by fortified castles and keeps. Houses were grouped together, and towns were soon structured into villages and cities. In these religious times, the road to the tomb of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle took, by chance, that of the Armagnac territories. The ancestral brandy became known beyond the borders...

In the 15th century, the great families created the extraordinary and legendary Company of Cadets of Gascony, putting their youngest sons, often the most intrepid, at the service of the King of France Louis 13 ! The audacity, recklessness and loyalty of these scoundrels earned them the favor of the King, over whom they exercised significant influence. Known as skirt chasers, the charisma and adventures of the musketeers gave rise to a whole literary and cinematographic genre of cloak and dagger.

Statue of d'Artagnan in Lupiac

Discover the Gers

Whatever your preferred means of transport (walking, cycling, horse riding, barge or car), the Gers is best discovered by taking your time... This is what makes this region with its high quality of life so charming. No need to hurry, far from the stress of large cities and destinations overloaded by heliotropism or fame, the Gers has always been and still is a warm and very authentic treasure.

Guide to Gers and its main territories

A rural department par excellence, the Gers is vast. Around every hill (or almost) there is a country house, a castelnau or a village to discover. Prepare your itinerary or let yourself be guided by the instinct of the " small road " which will lead you, for sure, to a place out of time.

On holiday in the Gers, it's like taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Not that we're in archaic land since the Gers is the first rural department to soon be 100% equipped with broadband !). The rolling landscapes, the squares and halls with their perfect grid, the imposing and stripped-down castles, manors and charterhouses inspire calm and rest in the traveller.

It is not the quantity, which, fortunately, affects the quality of the countless small towns and medieval cities of the Gers. The many bell towers will all have a story to whisper to you. A Gascon story, expressive and grandiloquent, warm and gourmet...

Follow the Gers Guide through 4 territories for a well-organized holiday full of surprises! Don't forget to check out our favorites to get to know the Gers like a local!

Beautiful heritage of Condom and Lavardens

Follow our Gers Guide to enjoy its attractions and organize your trip peacefully:

Discover the 4 main territories of Gers to choose the one or ones that will make up the heart of your stay.
Determine your itinerary, according to the must-see and main towns and villages. Find out about the main routes and means of transport.
Choose the leisure activities that appeal to you: nature/sport, discovering picturesque villages, family vacation ?
Time your presence to coincide with the festivals and events not to be missed.
Fine gourmets, you like to eat well and do not want to miss under any circumstances the gastronomic wonders of this oh so tasty territory? Salivate in advance by discovering the cuisine and traditional dishes of Gers !
Browse our section on Gascony wines and Armagnac to become an amateur, but informed, oenologist.
Sharpen your knowledge of Gers in cinema, in books and through important personalities.
Are you a fan of sustainable tourism, slow tourism ? Discover why Gers is a perfect destination for eco-responsible travelers.