Visit Larressingle, the little Carcassonne in the Gers

In the Gers, Larressingle is one of the essential visits. Nicknamed the " Little Carcassonne du Gers ", this fortress conceals many treasures. We take you on a historic, informative and fun journey. Beautiful ladies and valiant knights, put on your finery for an incredible stroll through Larressingle.

The village of Larressingle is part of a group of fortified villages and medieval bastides. It is located next to Condom, an important stage on the Ways of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle and its religious heritage is really worth the detour. On site, you can learn about the art of war in the Middle Ages, because a siege camp has been set up there and offers you many activities. In the heart of lush greenery and overlooking the Baïse, beautiful walks allow you to contemplate this architectural jewel in all its facets. Moreover, it has been classified among the " Most beautiful villages in France ".

Opening photo : @Guide du Gers

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Larressingle, in the heart of Armagnac

Dominating the valley of the Osse, Larressingle is a small Gallic village on a hill. But it is at the heart of the Armagnac wine region... The clay-limestone soils of the region and this land composed of tawny sands, between sand and silt, is particularly interesting for viticulture. The vines flourish there and produce quality white grapes.

Below, we can see the Baïse. Admittedly the river is a little capricious, with passages making navigation difficult, but it still allows the transport of the first wines to Lot-et-Garonne. From there, it joins the Garonne and allows exports to Europe by river.

The Romans are lovers of good wines, according to the tastes of the time of course! Even if we cannot precisely date the beginnings of viticulture, the vine is one of the favorite themes of Roman artists. It is also widely represented in Eauze, the ancient capital and on the mosaics of the Gallo-Roman villa of Séviac, in the town of Montreal-du-Gers and therefore just next to Larressingle.

Occitania is a fertile region. The Romans are not mistaken and are keen to take advantage of the fruits of this generous nature. At that time, the attacks are numerous and the conquest is assured, but the astonishing resistance of these villagers will put this village, whose name we no longer remember, on the path of its destiny...

The vines at the entrance to Larressingle. Photo @Guide du Gers

Larressingle, a Gallic village with an extraordinary destiny

Thus, a few words were enough to anchor Larressingle in history. It may only be a legend, but it seems that the siege of this small village was complicated for the Roman troops. Giving up, Lieutenant Crassus ends up pronouncing his fallback signal : " Retro singuli " (rear one by one!). The expression stuck, it even became the emblem of these courageous villagers. Over time, it has distorted slightly to give its name to the village of Larressingle. In the thirteenth ^century, the treaty mentions the "castrum Retrosingula", confirming this theory. Other etymologists, less poets, claim that its name dates from the Middle Ages, at the time of its fortification and renovation. It would correspond to the Latin word " cingulum ", which means pregnant and " re " for reconstruction. So it would simply be " the re cingulum ", the new enclosure, in a way.

The medieval siege camp at the entrance to the village, where you can enjoy entertainment during the summer. Photo @Guide du Gers

We jumped into history and found Larressingle in the XI ^century, in the Middle Ages. Father Hugues de Gascogne is an important figure. He is the founder of the Abbey of Condom and one of the heirs of the Dukes of Gascony. When he became bishop of Agen and Bazas, he found a successor to take charge of the Abbey of Condom and, to ensure him income, also handed him over the lands of Larressingle.

In the thirteenth ^century, the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine jostled the political balance of the region. The Gascon lords fortified the towns to protect them selves from the claims of the English as well as the French, because let's not forget that at the time Aquitaine was not yet French! The famous act of paréage 1285, dealing with fortification Retrosingula, has also been signed by King Edward ¹ of England... Larressingle is part of a large defense system to protect the Episcopal city of Condom, including the bastide of Valence-sur-Baïse (fr), the fortified village of Montréal-du-Gers and the bastide of Fourcès. Fortunately the castle was not affected by the " 100 Years War ". Its beautiful heritage has therefore been preserved and maintained for centuries.

The fifteenth ^century is the golden age of the Ways of Saint Jacques de Compostela. The small fortified city is one of the stages, near the path, between Condom and Beaumont-sur-l'Osse. His position will offer him relative calm, for two centuries, apart from a few stormy episodes, especially with the Montespan family, during the wars of the Protestant League. The castle will remain the residence of the bishops until the 17th ^century.

Larressingle occupies a strategic defensive position. Photo @Guide du Gers

Larressingle, one of the "Most beautiful villages in France"

Larressingle is the smallest fortified village in France and yet its defensive architecture is clearly reminiscent of the beautiful citadel of the Aude. This is why it is called the " little Carcassonne du Gers ". The fortification of the village dates from the thirteenth ^century. Originally, an imposing three-storey keep and a Romanesque church sit at the top of the hill. They will be surrounded by 270 meters of high walls connecting eight towers. Inside, medieval houses are attached to the surrounding wall.

For the defense of the site, the inhabitants relied on crenellated towers with straight or cross archers ; the famous dungeon ; a walkway on the ramparts ; moats, dug at the foot of the surrounding wall ; and a single masterful entrance door with a drawbridge at the time, now replaced by a small bridge. The church is also modified with a refuge room, overlooking the keep.

The entrance to Larressingle and its small bridge. Photo @Guide du Gers

Details of the village architecture. Photos @Guide du Gers

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In the fourteenth ^century, the castle dungeon turned Gascon. Then in the sixteenth ^century, arrangements are made for the comfort of lords : a tower with a spiral staircase, numerous mullioned windows to bring light... Finally at the end of the ^sixteenth, the castle was abandoned profit from that of Cassaigne. It will degrade for nearly two centuries before its restoration in the early twentieth ^century by the Duke of Treviso.

Since its renovation, Larressingle will follow up the rankings for its protection, but also to improve the experience of its visitors : " Historical Monuments ", " UNESCO World Heritage ", " Most beautiful village in France ", " Grand Site d 'Occitanie ".

Larressingle is the smallest fortified city in France, but it has everything a big one! Photos @Guide du Gers

What to do in Larressingle

Guided tours are organized by the tourist office to appreciate the architectural features of the site and better understand the defensive system of Larressingle, as well as its curious church. To locate the “ Petite Carcassonne du Gers ” or contact the nearest tourist office, consult the Larressingle file.

Guided tours organized in season. Photos @Guide du Gers

From spring to autumn, a medieval siege camp is set up in the meadow adjacent to the fortress. It presents war machines : catapults, trebuchets, stones, rams… powder artillery and lifting devices used for the construction of buildings. You will learn " The Art of War ", its techniques of siege and tactics of attacking the castle. Coin-minting and stone-cutting workshops, etc. allow you to experience the trades and certain activities of everyday life for yourself. It is also an opportunity to introduce you to archery or crossbow shooting... If you want to experience a real immersion in the Middle Ages, we lend you suitable outfits! Go to the file of the medieval siege camp of Larressingle to organize your visit.

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Leaving the village, you can admire the fortress in all its facets, taking the GR65 , on part of the road to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Here is the hiking sheet (fr).

The D'Artagnan Échappées Gascogne (fr) offers cruises on the Baïse : commented stroll, lunch on the water, wine initiation, or you can rent boats without a license to navigate independently.