THE GERS IN THE CINEMA, IN BOOKS, FAMOUS GERS PEOPLE

The Gers is a beautiful region that has been featured in films, both in cinema and on television. There is a wealth of literature on the heritage, gastronomy and stories of the Gers. Here we have made a small selection to introduce you to the life of the Gascons. In this section you will find something to satisfy your curiosity about the Gers, even before you come here! Don't forget to bring back a little souvenir, such as a recipe book, to prolong the pleasure of the senses at home...

Gers in films, cinema, television

• "But no, the confit is not fatty! ": it is impossible to think of Gers without thinking of the film Happiness is in the meadow by Étienne Chatiliez, in 1995. Filmed between Vic-Fezensac and Eauze, it is a little gem to see without moderation before your stay in the Gers.

• La Grande Boucle is a film by Laurent Tuel with Clovis Cornillac on the subject of the Tour de France. Part of the plot as well as the filming took place in the Gers, in Samatan in particular.

• Milou en mai is a 1990 comedy by Louis Malle. Filming took place in the beautiful Château du Calaoué, a beautiful residence in Saint-Lizier-du-Planté.
• One of the only films about the musketeers in Gascony: D'Artagnan, by Peter Hyams, released in 2000. It was partly filmed in the Gers. A film full of special effects against a backdrop of authentic landscapes and with the beautiful Catherine Deneuve.
• Several scenes and part of the plot of the film A Statesman by Pierre Courrège, in 2011, were filmed in the Gers, between Auch, Fleurance, Condom and Lectoure. Beautiful landscapes for a story of politics and influence!

Books about Gers, literature

Discover the Gers in books, by Gersois authors and about locals.

• A book written by a food critic who could just as well have been a tourism promoter for the Gers, because one senses in his writings all the love for this rich and generous land. Is God Gascon? by Christian Millau, published by Rocher.
• Petites Gasconneries : a very beautiful book, full of funny and tender drawings, about life in the Gers! Lots of humor and a good pencil stroke for Perry, who won the Grand Prix Littéraire de Gascogne in 2015.
• Children in the Trees by Roger Boussinot, published by Robert Laffont. A moving novel that takes place during the Occupation, in a small village in the Gers.
• A book about a character from Gers, a sixty-year-old who went from farmer to exorcist/healer and recently, mayor. A fun book full of local produce, written by a Toulouse police writer who knows his territory well. A great story and a character to meet! Pierre Dulong, La prière du guérisseur by Patrick Caujolle published by Le Pas D'oiseau.
• An autobiographical novel written by Victoire de Montesquiou, daughter of Duc and descendant of d'Artagnan. A book full of little joys, great encounters and old atmospheres that we like to immerse ourselves in. Nothing more, except her, life published by Éditions du Palais. By the same author, The art of living day by day, published by Robert Laffont, immerses you in the daily life of a simple life in the Gers.

Tourist books on Gers

Discover our selection of tourist books , recipe books from Gers and also some slightly original books about the Gers department. Whether before your visit, after discovering this beautiful region or between two holidays, find out about Gers !

• For heritage enthusiasts, to find out everything about the monuments and buildings found in the Gers, we recommend: Churches, castles and fortifications of eastern Gers from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance by Jean Bonnefous and Raoul Deloffre, published by Atlantica.
• For people who like precise information, almost in the manner of a dictionary, here is a book which deals with the history of the communes and hamlets of Gers, from the origins to the middle of the 19th century: Département du Gers by F.-J Bourdeau, published by Res Universis.
• For those who like to discover a department in its most mysterious and incredible aspects, here is a book that tells the story of the characters and significant events of the department. Crimes, stories, adventures, religion... A specialist author of the genre! Les Mystères du Ger s by Patrick Caujolle.
• Happiness is in Gascony Gourmandises et Saveurs is a beautiful book by Sylvia Robert, published by CPE, which offers a round of flavors of the palate in Gascony and therefore in the Gers. We are salivating in advance.
• Do you like beautiful photo books ? Le Gers: a happiness revealed by Rose-Marie Richard-Caprice and Michel Carossio, published by Gypaète. Images and words to talk about the heritage of this department of charms and pleasures.
• Looking for recipes and local specialties ? Rich and comforting dishes, ideas and gastronomic traditions ? Consult the book Recettes paysannes du Gers by Marc Béziat published by Du Curieux, Collection of Peasant Recipes.

• The Green Guide Pyrenees Toulouse Gers Michelin : a must-have!

A well-organized and practical guide to take with you in its pocket format. It is provided with maps, good addresses and information to organize your trip. This guide is particularly oriented towards walks and strolls.

• The Little Smart Gers Gascogne : another must have!

A book that will guide you on the monuments to visit, the activities to do, but also the accommodations (take the recent versions). To visit an unknown region while having the essential information at hand, also in pocket format.

• A beautiful and detailed nature guide from the French Hiking Federation to explore the Gers in a different way, discovering its small heritage and taking your time: Le Gers... à pied published by Topo Guides.

For hikes to Santiago de Compostela, here are some guides to accompany you, also consult our article on the subject :

• Yum-yum-sleep section 1 by Lauriane and Jacques Clouteau published by Vieux Crayon. The guide is updated every year. Get the latest version to be sure of the information contained therein.
• Ouest France editions offer 2 guides for cycling the 2 routes to Compostela that cross the Gers: The Arles route by bike on the paths to Compostela and On the paths to Compostela: The Puy route by bike by Marie-Hélène and Pierre Costes.
• A book dedicated to heritage, rich in explanations for pilgrims: The paths of Saint-Jacques in the Gers by Georges Courtes, published by Sud-Ouest.

Famous and well-known personalities from Gers

• His aura floats over the Gers like a benevolent and chivalrous presence: d'Artagnan is the most famous of the Gersois. Charles de Batz de Castelmore was born around 1615 at the Château de Castelmore near Lupiac. The youngest of a bourgeois family, he was, like many sons born after the eldest in the Gascony families of the time, sent to the service of King Louis XIII. Made famous by the author Alexander Dumas, his stories are an ode to adventure! Read our article on the Musketeers.
• The Bogdanoff brothers, TV show hosts, essayists and popularizers of science, were born and partly grew up in Gers.
• The couturier Jean-Charles de Castelbajac lives part of the year in the Château de Loubersan, which has been his family's home since 1420 and which he bought in the 1990s.
• Michel Sarran is a chef born in Gers and who learned his trade in Landes. He opened a Michelin-starred restaurant in Toulouse. A true Gascon!
• Press boss Jean-Luc Lagardère was born in Gers, but he quickly left for the capital to do business.

The Gers is, it seems, the new nature refuge of the stars... Especially in Lomagne near Lectoure... Will little Tuscany become the new Saint-Tropez?