Tourist Information Midi-Pyrenees Things to do & see French Pyrenees Department 32: Gers

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Midi Pyrénées

Tourist Information Midi-Pyrénées
Things to do & see French Pyrenees
Department 32: Gers

The Gers Region, Gascony, French Pyrenees

This department is in the heart of the Gascony region, in a setting of lush rolling countryside, vineyards, wheat and sunflower fields, and an abundance of ducks and geese which are the mainstay of the local gastronomic tradition. The Gers department specialises in locally produced foie gras, delicious melons, pungent garlic and of course the famous Armagnac brandy. Gers is the second most rural department of France, with relatively few inhabitants. It is a haven for nature lovers, criss-crossed with walking routes, and well endowed with lakes for swimming and fishing. There are airports at Toulouse, Tarbes and Rodez.

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Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Aignan

Aignan is a small village of approximately 1000 inhabitants, but with a good selection of basic shops and amenities. Visit the Château which now houses the towns's museum, and the 12th century Saint Saturnin Church. There are some picturesque houses to see, and good walking routes around the village. The village hosts local fêtes all year round, with particular emphasis on the Easter Festival.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Barbotan-les-Thermes

Barbotan-les-Thermes is the 7th most important thermal cure spas in France, and one of the most modern in Europe. There is a weekly Wednesday morning market, and a bathing lake at the 80 hectare Lac de l'Uby, which has a sandy beach and swimming pool. The town has a local history museum.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Condom-Ténarèze

Condom-Ténarèze houses the Musée de l'Armagnac, and a museum devoted to agricultural tools and objects with well maintained workshops. Visit the gothic Saint-Pierre Cathedral, andthe Eglise du Pradau.

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Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Eauze

Eauze is a large city of 4000 inhabitants and capital city of Armagnac. The town is a centre of production and distribution of the famous brandy, and at the Domaine de Lagajan-Pontouat you can see how the brandy is produced and visit the associated museum. The Cathedral of St Luperc is another of the town's historical sites, as is the Place Armagnac with its traditional ancient houses. A collection of over 28,000 roman coins was found in the town in 1985, dating back to between 170 and 251 AD, testimony to the town's rich cultural history. There is a vibrant Thursday morning market, an 18 hole golf course at Golf de Guinlet, an equestrian centre, nearby swimming lakes and the Château de Castelmore which was the birthplace of d'Artagnan.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Fleurance

A typical Bastide town with the beautiful Church of St Laurent, founded in 1272, which is adorned by stained glass windows produced between 1507 and 1513. The 19th Market Hall is the third hall to be located on the same site, and at the corners of the hall are fountain statues, each of which represents one of the four seasons. There are plenty of fêtes and festivals all year round in Fleurance, and it is well provided with sports facilities and amenities.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Gimont

Gimont, together with other Gascony towns, is celebrated for its production of foie gras and croustade. Tourist sites include the Planselve Cistercian Abbey which was founded in 1142, the ancient Citadelle of Capucins, the Archaeological museum and the museum of local life and traditions. There is also a swimming pool, a bee farm, a glass maker, a good range of shops and restaurants and fishing opportunities. There is an art exhibition during the first two weeks in August.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Gondrin

Gondrin offers an exceptional leisure park, with a 5000m² swimming pool, with 600m² reserved for children. There is a paddling pool, pool games, trampoline, volleyball, ping pong tables, tennis courts, picnic areas and a snack bar. There are two walking trails of 8km and 15km, taking you through vineyards and sunflower fields. Sites to visit include Le Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de Tonneteau, the ancient merchants' houses in La Rue des Cornières and Les Lavoirs, the old covered wash house. There is a regional produce fair on the second sunday in August, and in mid August, a firework display at the leisure park. The town also has a regular Sunday morning market.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: La Romieu

The name of this pretty floral town comes from he Gascon world Roumiou, in memory of a monk who was returning from a pilgrimage to Saint Jacques de Compostelle. He stopped and founded a religious centre here in the 11th century. In the 15th century, the town became more important with the founding of the Collégiale Saint Pierre, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1998. The Collégiale is open to the public (confirm opening times with the Tourist Office) but is closed to the public during services. The town has an interesting association with cats. The legend has it that a town's former resident, Angeline, bizarrely grew to resemble a cat, and the older she grew, the more like a cat she looked. (Sounds like something out of Dr Who...). Anyway, the town has lots of cat statues, and a cat festival in mid August. There are lots of beautiful walks around the town, and tennis courts and a swimming pool in summer. Les Jardins de Coursiana are worth visiting, with 4 different themed gardens including an English garden and a medicinal garden. The town hosts a rose market in May. Details from the Tourist Office. Tel 05 62 28 86 33.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Montaut-les-Creneaux

Montaut-les-Creneaux is situated 10km from Auch. It is a hilltop 'castelnau' town, clustered around its château, and dates back to the 12th century. Traces of its past still remain in the form of the town gate, romanesque church and the half timbered houses. There are a number of local festivals throughout the year. Local artisans produce honey, patés, and a regional cake called Croustades Gasconnes.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Riscle

A small town by the River Adour, which holds a yearly competition for the best garden, and which is celebrated for its cuisine, including cèpes, foie gras and local wines. There are churches, windmills and châteaux to visit, and country walks taking in vineyards and wheat fields. Local festivals take place on the first Sunday in August, the last weekend in May and the first weekend in September.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Samatan

Samatan is known for its gastonomy, notably for its production of local foie gras. The town has a museum dedicated to the delicacy, Le Musée de Foie Gras. 7 km away at nearby Cazaux-Saves is an exhibition devoted to the lives of snails (also considered a gastronomic treat). There is an open air pool during July and August, and a leisure park with a sandy beach, children's games, mini golf, walking trails and picnic areas. The town is well supplied with shops and restaurants. The Tourist Office is at 3 Rue Chanoine Dieuzaide. Tel 05 62 62 55 40.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Simorre

Simorre is in the heart of the Gascony region, a picturesque town one hour from Toulouse airport. Visit the Benedictine Abbey which was fortified in the 14th century, or the half timbered houses which are grouped around the church. The area is good for walking and mountain biking. In July there is the Drôle de Fêtes, a two day festival with street entertainment. There is a riding centre, Le Majouau. The Tourist Office is at Place de la Mairie. Tel 05 62 65 36 34.

Tourist Information French Pyrénées: Gascony: Gers: Saint-Clar

Saint-Clar has two distinct centres - the west of the town with itsquaint narrow streets and the east, typified by large squares and arcades. Starting from the Place de l'Eglise and passing along the Rue du 14 juillet, you come to the heart of the old town, where the anicent Bishop's Palace is situated. Continuing onto the Rue le la Vieille Eglise and Place de la République leads you to the 18th century houses with arcades on three sides. Following the Chemin de Ronde brings you to an observation point with a splendid view over the fertile fields growing wheat, sunflowers, garlic and melons. The central Place de la Garlande houses the Mairie, originally a 13th century building, reconstructed in the 18th century. La Garlande refers to the circle of stone houses surrounding the square. An interesting museum is La Musée Départmental de l'Ecole Public, tracing the development of a French school between 1789 and 1940. Visit La Maison de l'Ail, pictured above (House of Garlic) which was opened in 2000, to see in detail the cultivation and production of garlic. Open 15th June - 15th October 2pm - 7pm. In the nearby village of Gamont is Le Musée de Miel (Honey museum), the Château d'Avezan, open from 1st April - 31st October from 2pm - 6pm, and the Château de Plieux which houses a small modern art exhibition. Just outside the town is the Es Calavès Leisure Park, 17 hectares of parkland including a 5 hectare lake with a sandy beach, picnic areas and small snackbar.