Between vineyards and valleys

Main towns and villages of the territory of flavors between vineyards and valleys

If in the whole of Gers, people know how to enjoy the pleasures of the table, in Armagnac lies the secret of a mysterious beverage... A powerful and woody brandy, produced since the 13th century in this territory... Armagnac!

The north-west of Gers has many tourist attractions to offer: an interesting vineyard , beautiful villages of character and atypical, rather concentrated to facilitate travel, a navigable river (the Baïse) to travel on a gabarre and a certain taste for speed and adventure in Nogaro (with the famous Paul Armagnac circuit)!

Fources

Let's start our visit with a bang, with one of the most beautiful villages in France : Fourcès. It is located in Ténarèze, a land of heritage and nature, on the traces of an ancient traffic and communication route between the Garonne valley and the Pyrenees. The Castelnaux , these small towns founded from the 12th century on the outskirts of a castle whose lord protected the villagers, are typical in Occitania. That of Fourcès is at the very least atypical by the characteristic rounded shape of its central square. In homage to the old castle, destroyed in the 15th century, a multitude of welcoming plane trees benevolently observe the life of this pretty country house. Fourcès will charm you with its beautiful half-timbered houses and arcades. Cross the gate of La Tour carrée de l'horloge to reach the arboretum of the old patrol path. Crossing the bridge over the Auzou, you continue your journey to Tanarèze.

Montreal-du-Gers

Will you arrive in Montreal (from Gers!) by car or on foot from Fourcès by taking the GR 654? In any case, here you are in a bastide, a small fortified town dating from the Middle Ages, well organized according to a regular grid. Montreal is proudly installed on a rocky spur. In the heart of the Armagnac vineyards, its strategic geographical position earned it an important place during the Hundred Years' War.

Today, it is a pleasant bastide to discover. Walk through its straight streets to the Place des Arcades enhanced by houses with cob corbelled roofs . Look up at the massive collegiate church extending from the ramparts. Classed among the most beautiful villages in France, Montréal-du-Gers reserves a special welcome for wine lovers. The winemakers will present you with Floc de Gascogne, the local wine of the Côtes de Gascogne, in addition to the traditional Armagnac.

Larressingle

Yet another one of the most beautiful villages in France! We are listing the must-see destinations and Larressingle is most certainly one of them. The one that is nicknamed (without batting an eyelid) Little Carcassonne, has everything a big one has. A remarkable fortified village, it is located in the privileged area of the Grand Site Midi-Pyrénées "Flaran-Baïse-Armagnac". Its famous Romanesque church, its Gascon castle, its medieval houses, its towers , its moats and its drawbridge... Is there anything more you need to want to go there?

Near the ramparts, the Musée de la Halte du Pèlerin will teach you a lot about the daily life of our medieval ancestors. Wax statues, stagings, medieval objects will attract your curiosity.

The youngest will surely prefer to go to the Medieval Siege Camp to learn everything and test the machines of this era. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistae, costumes and archery, enough to make everyone's eyes shine...

Condom

Let's leave aside our basic English, because even if it makes the Anglo-Saxons smile, the name of the city has nothing to do with condoms... An episcopal city, Condom is first represented by the majestic Saint-Pierre Cathedral with its imposing Gothic architecture. After this visit, go to the Armagnac Museum to discover the production cycle of this capricious brandy.

You will easily find a holiday in one of the many charming residences and private mansions. Because if today, it is river tourism that is practiced on the Baïse, the only navigable river in the Gers, it was once an important transport route for Armagnac. Go for a cruise on the "D'Artagnan", rent a fun little boat without a license or do a bit of sport in a canoe !

Adults will enjoy tasting Côtes du Condomois wine, accompanied by winegrowers from the Cave Coopérative du Val de Gascogne, a visit to the production cellar is also possible upon reservation. For the youngest and from June to September, the Tanarèze water leisure center is a refreshing summer stopover.

Eauze

Eauze, or Elusa the Ancient city, is the capital of Armagnac. A beautiful city in the heart of the vineyards, it is the standard of Gascon good living. Local shops, diversity and variety, in Eauze, you can always find what you are looking for and even more!

Visit its 2 museums, including the Domus de Cieutat, an archaeological site and interpretation center in a former Gallo-Roman aristocratic house of 2700m2. It belongs to the entity that also manages the Villa Séviac in Montreal. At the Archaeological Museum of the Treasure, you will discover coins, jewelry and precious objects exposed in the city. Stroll through the city center, around the imposing Saint-Luperc cathedral in a harmonious Gothic style. At the Nimeno II arenas, built in 1982 in the Andalusian style, you will reconnect with the traditions of the nearby Landes lands.

Fed up with the city? On the way to the Pouy site, and its two fishing lakes fed by the small Gélise river with its municipal swimming pool, its festive guinguette , its games and its rest area.

Valencia-sur-Baise

How good it is to live to the rhythm of the Baïse! The small village of Valence-sur-Baïse shines thanks to the fame of the nearby Cistercian Abbey of Flaran, offering its river charms to visitors. Take the path of the old barges on the Baïse and scrutinize the wild and typical fauna : kingfishers, herons, moorhens and ducks live there all year round. At the port of Valence, it is pleasant to walk before going back up towards the city, wander on the rampart path and the Botanical Trail. Go to the Belvédère and with the help of the orientation table, observe the landscape in search of the Pyrenees mountains.

Flaran Abbey, a perfectly preserved 12th century Cistercian complex, is the leading cultural and tourist site in Gers. Many activities are organized there throughout the year with the Departmental Conservatory of the Territory, for all audiences and all ages.

Castera-Verduzan

On a valley on the banks of the Auloue river is this peaceful spa village, which comes from 2 springs with renowned healing properties. In Castéra-Verduzan, you can swim and relax! Grab your swimsuit and head to the fully renovated mineral-thermal establishment. Go there to relax (spa, hammam, jets, massages, etc.) or for the therapeutic virtues of its 22-degree waters. Unless you prefer to go to the leisure center ? Lay your towel on the fine sand, slide down the gigantic slide while the children are at the skate park and your friends prepare a BBQ near the picnic tables. We warned you, here, we relax! In the evening, place your bets... The town's casino opens its doors and its tables to you. The racecourse and its horse races are also catching your eye...

Do you prefer hiking? No problem! Here, there are 3 PR trails (short hikes) and many others available to you.

Nogaro

Vrouuuuuuuuuummmmm!!! This is the first word that comes to mind when you think of the city of Nogaro. The Paul Armagnac racing circuit has hosted many car, motorcycle and even truck races all year round since 1960, sometimes attracting nearly 40,000 spectators. Modern and vast, the circuit is the pride of the city. A driving school offers introductory lessons to curious holidaymakers excited by speed!

In Nogaro, there is also the collegiate church of Saint-Nicolas, which deserves your attention with its magnificent frescoes. The arenas of the Landes races, dating from 1929, host events all year round. If you prefer planes to bulls, the Bas-Armagnac aero-club, quite active and developed, specializes in gliding. How about a little glider baptism ?

As you will have understood, on the circuit or in the air, things are moving at Nogaro!