Between vineyards and valleys

The main towns and villages located in the land of flavours between vines and valleys.

In the whole of Gers, the locals know how to enjoy good food. But in Armagnac they have the secret of a mysterious beverage... a powerful and woody brandy that has been made here since the 13th century... Armagnac! The north-west of the Gers has many tourist attractions: interesting vineyards, beautiful traditional and picturesque villages built, primarily, to help provide shelter for travellers, a navigable river (the Baïse) to explore on a gabarre (traditional boat) and a place for those interested in speed and adventure in Nogaro (which has the famous Paul Armagnac circuit).

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FOURCÈS

Let’s start our visit with one of the most beautiful villages in France, Fourcès. The village is located in Ténarèze, a land of natural landscapes and traditions. It is built on an ancient road which linked the Garonne Valley and the Pyrenees. There are “Castelnaux” - small hamlets, in existence since the 12th century, which were built near a castle whose seigneur was the protector of the villagers. They are typical in Occitanie.Fourcès has a characteristically round shaped main square. As a tribute to the former castle (destroyed during the 15th century), many plane trees have been planted in this beautiful bastide. Fourcès has beautiful half-timbered houses and traditional arcades. Visit the Tour carrée de l'horloge (Square Clock Tower), to see the arboretum of the old sentry walk. By crossing the Pont sur l'Auzou (Auzou bridge) you can continue on your trip around Tanarèze. 

Guide du Gers in Fourcès: Best Tips

• If you are visiting at the end of April, don’t miss the Marché aux Fleurs (flower market) in Fourcès, one of the most beautiful and fragrant in Occitanie...
• For hikers, the GR 654 starts in Fourcès and goes to Montréal-du-Gers, around fifteen kilometres (no obstacles). You can follow a little bit of the route to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle to enhance your holiday.
• For a nature stopover, there is a pleasant campervan site available, as well as a children's playground, situated on a large grassy area, close to the medieval municipal hall.
• The tourist Office offers an interpretation trail for the family: the “Clé des Champs” (Key to the Fields).

The beautiful shady arcades of Fourcès

The main square of Fourcès

MONTRÉAL-DU-GERS

Are you travelling to Montréal (in Gers!) by car or on foot from Fourcès, by taking the GR654? Whichever route you take, you are now in a bastide, a small-fortified town dating from medieval times. It is built in the traditional grid pattern. Montréal is built on a rocky promontory. In the heart of the vines of Armagnac, its geographically strategic position contributed to its importance during the Hundred Years War. Today, it is a pleasant bastide to explore; stroll its straight streets up to Place des Arcades and see the corbelled mud houses. Look at the massive collegiate along the fortifications. Listed among the most beautiful villages of France, Montréal-du-Gers is a destination for wine enthusiasts. The winemakers will give you the Floc de Gascogne, (local brandy) the Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne as well as the traditional Armagnac. 

Guide du Gers in Montréal-du-Gers: Best Tips

• Visit the villa gallo-romaine de Séviac (fr) (Gallo-Roman villa of Séviac), only a few kilometres away. It has astonishing mosaics, a large thermal complex and many cultural and historical activities are organised which will be of great interest to the tourist! 
• Note! Work will be in progress until Spring 2018!
• Note that Montréal-du-Gers, as many towns in the Gers, is labelled “Station Verte” (green resort), here tourism is geared towards nature, heritage and man. 
• In November the Flamme de l'Armagnac takes place. This is an event which celebrates the distilling of the precious brandy.  
• Take a family outing to the small wild vegetation lake, perfect for fishing, picnicking and enjoying the children's playground. 
• In the Tourist Office of Tanarèze, you can enquire about the paper chase around the Bastides.

Montréal is located on a rocky promontory, go high!

The magnificent mosaics in Montréal-du-Gers

LARRESSINGLE

Another one of the most beautiful villages in France! Larressingle is a village worth visiting. Nicknamed (said with a straight face) the Petit Carcassonne, it has it all. It is a remarkable fortified village, located in the Grand Site Midi-Pyrénées "Flaran-Baïse-Armagnac". It's famous for its Roman church, Gascon castle, medieval houses, towers, moats and drawbridge…Do you need anything more to convince you to visit? Near the fortifications, the Musée de la Halte du Pèlerin (the Pilgrims' halt museum) is full of information on the daily life of our medieval ancestors. Wax statues, displays and medieval artefacts will be of interest to the visitor. The youngest would probably prefer to go to the Camp de Siège Médiéval (from March to November…It is located outside the city), to find out everything about this era. There are catapults, trebuchets, ballista, costumes and archery, all to be seen.

Guide du Gers in Larressingle: Best Tips

• In the Tanarèze Tourist Office, ask about the paper chase: The treasures of Larressingle
• Between Larressingle and Beaumont, have a look at Pont de l'Artigues, listed as a World Heritage Site.
• The locals proudly explain the origin of the name of the town; it dates back to Roman times when, faced with resistance at the city gates, the Romans were ordered to "retro singuli" (withdraw one by one against the resistance).

The imposing entrance gate of the fortified town of Larressingle

A picturesque village in the heart of the vines

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CONDOM

This name makes British tourists smile but the name has nothing to do with condoms! An episcopal city, Condom has its majestic Saint-Pierre Cathedral with its imposing gothic style architecture. After this visit, go to the Musée de l'Armagnac (Armagnac Museum) to see how this brandy is produced. You can easily find accommodation in any of the many residences and charming hotels. Today river tourism is popular on the Baïse river (take the "D'Artagnan" cruise, rent a small fun boat, which doesn't need a permit to use, or be sporty by renting a canoe!), the only navigable river of the Gers, was once an important transportation channel for Armagnac. Adults will enjoy tasting the Vin des Côtes du Condomois, in the presence of the winemakers of the Cave Coopérative du Val de Gascogne, the visit to the winery is also possible provided you book first. For the youngest members of the family (from June to September) there is a fun water activity centre in the Tanarèze which is a refreshing summer stop. 

 

Guide du Gers in Condom: Best Tips

• Visit the Hotel de Cugnac, a beautiful house where you can do pedagogic visit and learn about Armagnac.
• Many enjoyable hikes are available in Condom and surrounding area. If you do not want too strenuous an outing during your holidays, rent a bike or an electric mountain bike!  
• Many concerts (fr) take place all year with the Association Tous en Scène 
• Visit the double lock of Graziac with its metallic structure in a little garden paradise.
• Visit the Espace Saint-Michel, a free original contemporary Art Exhibition. 
• La Voie verte de l'Armagnac Condom Eauze (the green way of l'Armagnac Condom Eauze) is perfect for a safe walk with your children!
• The Plan d'eau de Gauge is ideal for swimming during the summer and has a picnic area, games and a health trail for the rest of the year. 

Inside the magnificent Condom Cathedral

The double lock: a perfect place for picnicking!

ÉAUZE

Éauze or Elusa, the Antic town, is the capital of Armagnac. This is a beautiful city in the heart of the vineyards. It is the emblem of Gascony's tradition of good living. There is a large range of all sorts of shops and corner shops in Eauze. You can find everything you could need and more besides! Visit the 2 museums, including the Domus de Cieutat (fr). This is an archeological site and interpretation centre in a 2,700m2 former Gallo-Roman aristocrat's house (this house is managed by the same group which manages the villa Séviac in Montréal). At the Musée Archéologique du Trésors, you will see money, jewellery, and precious objects found in the town. Wander round the town centre to see the imposing Gothic style Saint-Luperc Cathedral. At the Nimeno II arenas, built in 1982 in the Andalou style, you can explore the traditions of nearby Landaises lands. Tired of walking round town? Go to the Site de Pouy which has two fishing lakes, fed by the small Gélise River. There is a municipal swimming pool, festive open-air restaurant, games and areas in which to relax.

Guide of Gers in Eauze: Best Tips

• The Festival de la Bande Dessinée (comic book festival) has an international reputation, and takes place in Eauze during the first weekend in August. Around thirty authors meet in the town's exhibition hall. Entry is free!
• The Festival Galop Romain en Gascogne, is a remarkable event in Gers. It takes place in Eauze in the arenas over 3 days at the end of July. 
• Many hiking routes and bike rides are available. The “Chemin de Fer” (the Iron Way) lies between Eauze and Montréal. It starts at the Panblan Park playground and provides a convenient link between these two cities which are both interesting.  
• Every year, at the end of January, the Saint-Vincent des Vignerons fair is celebrated in Eauze.
• Do you like antiques and “brocantes” (car boot sales)? At the end of May do not miss one of the most beautiful exhibitions in France, which has been in existence for more than 40 years: Le Salon des Antiquaires de Eauze (Eauze Antique Fair).

A pleasant cafe terrace in Eauze

The arenas of Eauze

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VALENCE-SUR-BAÏSE

Valence-sur-Baïse is a very pleasant place to live where inhabitants live at the slow pace of the Baïse river! This small village has a renowned Cistercian Flaran Abbey nearby, and offers all the charms of riverside living to visitors. Take the Chemin des Anciennes Gabarres (path of the old traditional boats) on the Baïse river and enjoy the wild fauna: kingfishers, herons, moorhens and ducks that live here all year. It is pleasant to wander round the port of Valence, before heading back towards the city. Stroll along the Chemin des Remparts and the Botanical path. Meet at the Belvedere and, with the help of the orientation table, look at the landscape and find the Pyrenees mountains.

The Flaran Abbey, a beautifully preserved 12th century Cistercian structure, and was the first cultural and tourist site in the Gers.  Many activities are organised each year with the Conservatoire Départemental du Territoire, for all ages and interests. 

 

Guide du Gers in Valence-sur-Baïse: Best Tips

• 600m from the Flaran Abbey, the Bois des Moines (the monk’s wood) offers a nature and sporting break.
• Looking for an easy walk or bike ride? Take the Chemin de Halage from Port de Valence.
• The chemin des quinze vents (The path of the fifteen winds), a loop of 21km going towards Castéra-Verduzan, traverses the vines and picturesque hamlets, for the hiking enthusiast and mountain bikers...
• A holiday in Gers very often means you can try foie-gras. Enjoy a stop in Valence and find the “Maison Tête” which has been there for 20 years.
• Looking for an original activity? Meet Monika Mucha, opera and theatre costume designer, and see her work at the Musée de l'histoire du Costume (Museum of the history of costumes) in Valence-sur-Baïse.

A boat ride? Yes! In Valence-sur-Baïse!

The town centre is calm and ideal for strolling round!

CASTÉRA-VERDUZAN

Located in a valley, on the border of the Auloue River, this relaxing thermal village has 2 springs with renowned curative properties. In Castéra-Verduzan, you can bathe and relax. Take your swimming costume and go to the mineral-thermal Institute, which has been renovated. Go there to relax (spa, steam room, jets, massages...) or for the therapeutical effects of its waters which are 22C. Unless you prefer going to the leisure activity centre? There is a fine sand beach, a huge toboggan slide, a skate park and a BBQ and picnic area. This is a great place to relax! In the evening, place your bets... the town has a casino as well as a racecourse. If you enjoy hiking there are 3 PR (small hikes) trails as well as many others. 

 

Guide du Gers in Castéra-Verduzan: Best Tips

• If you visit the Gers during the Indian summer, do not miss the Festival des arts de la rue "N'amasse pas mousse" (Street Arts Festival) organised by the Petite Pierre Association in September.
• Missing sport? During the summer, you can take a paddleboard on the lake of the leisure activity centre in Castéra-Verduzan
• Do you like shopping? For a change, leave the wine and the poultry specialities behind. Try the toiletries of the Laboratoire Odost. They are made with the town's thermal water. It is possible to visit the laboratory if you make prior arrangements.
• Regularly, concerts and other events take place in the Parc Lannelongue!

The thermal spa of Castéra-Versuzan

The casino and town centre

NOGARO

Vrooooooooooooooommmmm!!! This is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about the town of Nogaro. The Paul Armagnac racetrack has hosted many races since 1960. There are car races, moto and even truck racing, with nearly 40,000 spectators at times. Modern and vast, the circuit is the real pride of the city and a driving school offers drives to holidaymakers who want to experience speed! In Nogaro, there is also the Saint-Nicolas Collegiate Church which is worth a visit for its magnificent murals. The arenas of “courses Landaises” (ancient form of bullfighting that involves no bloodshed), dating from 1929, has events all year. If you prefer planes to bulls, the very dynamic and experienced aero-club of the Bas-Armagnac, specialises in gliding (are you temped to have a flight in a glider (fr) ?). There is plenty to do in Nogaro if you are interested in racing or flying.

 

Guide du Gers in Nogaro: Best Tips

• Nogaro is located on the GR65 on the route of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, the route of Puy-en-Velay.
• If you do not like speed, try the vélorail de l'Armagnac (pedal powered railcar)! It's fun for all the family! 
• The “sentier découverte de la vigne de Gascogne” (discovery trail of the vines of Gascony) (3km) has information signs about wine-growing. Tours leave from the cooperative cellar HDM.
• Each October, at the car racetrack, the "Classic Festival" takes place. Here you can see classic and vintage cars...

The Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro

Glider flights in Nogaro