Slow tourism in Gers

As a so-called "rural" department, the Gers has a lot to offer in terms of slow-food, slow-tourism, slow-life... But what does a rural department mean? Don't worry, you won't go back in time to the era of dirt floors and disreputable taverns! A rural territory is distinguished by the predominance of crops and livestock in its economic and landscape development. It enjoys a low population density, is made up of a multitude of small, scattered communities and in our era where agriculture is motorized and modern. The inhabitants are not exclusively focused on working the land. Neo-rurals (who come from the city or elsewhere, to live in the countryside) are also in the secondary and tertiary sectors. Industry is developing there and also personal services , particularly tourism ! Especially in this beautiful department that is the Gers!

Photos of the article © Guide du Gers

Lavardens, the Gers countryside

Rural tourism, slow tourism

Rural tourism or slow tourism is an alternative form of tourism, far from the specialized facilities of mass tourism. It means being in contact with the population, the farmers, the winegrowers, the artisans, who open their homes or very small accommodation structures, such as gîtes or guest rooms, to welcome you as close as possible to their daily lives. It means tasting the pleasures of the life of the people of Gers, full of flavors and tranquility.

The Gascons know how to appreciate the passing of time, while keeping their heads on their shoulders to allow traditions to coexist, maintain heritage and subsistence activities. A rural territory must be active to exist in our world where the economy and growth are at the heart of development. Also, inspired by the way of life in rural areas and the desire it sometimes arouses in city dwellers, we have made it a form of tourism !

Slow tourism is the buzzword, the trend, which means that we discover a destination in depth and by taking our time. We will relearn the pleasure of eating well, take the time to wander aimlessly. We will limit the excessive use of means of transport to appreciate the vacation spot we have chosen, rather than beating the countryside to photograph all the beautiful churches. We rest, we stop racing ! Too bad if the museum is closed, we will come back tomorrow!

Cycling on the quiet roads of Gers

Quality family tourism

Rural tourism or slow tourism is perfect for a family vacation. All year long, you rush to get your eldest daughter, her brother, and your youngest child ready for school on time, all while you eat a slice of toast and a cold coffee. All year long, you're scattered between work, school, daycare, the nanny, extracurricular activities... Stop! It's the holidays, and you've decided to go to the Gers to take a BREAK. Perfect.

Here, there are leisure centers, lakes with giant slides in almost every village (or less than 10 minutes away...). The picnic areas are secure, in the middle of the woods with educational trails. Here, tourism professionals have thought of you and prepared guides for fun and attractive visits to towns and villages. Booklets, nice museums, festivals all year round. You will always find a rental, quality accommodation, affordable and without constraints. The roads are beautiful, they undulate between the hills, you can stop whenever you want at a small producer, make a stop in a playground or in a welcoming café. The restaurateurs are used to families and children, there is always a suitable menu and it is the opportunity to have the little ones taste foie gras! The Gers is truly a family destination !

Sustainable tourism, eco-tourism

The Gers is a sustainable tourism destination, first and foremost thanks to the quality of the surrounding nature. People have only built on an extraordinarily rich base of sumptuous landscapes, small villages of character and abundant crops.

Sustainable tourism means respecting and enhancing the inherent resources of a destination (nature, heritage, history). But it also means taking care of the local population to make tourism prosper and welcome vacationers, while minimizing the negative impact that this could have.

It means taking advantage of existing infrastructure, promoting the work of local people and allowing them to present it in an attractive way to visitors. It also means respecting tourists by selling quality products, offering nature as it is and the conditions to maintain it in good condition. This is the path that the Gers has chosen to welcome its holidaymakers!

Here, there are no 3,000-room hotels that spoil the landscape, but a multitude of small accommodation solutions in the heart of village life. No superstructure for purchasing local products, but plenty of small producers to meet. This is quality tourism that must be preserved, and by coming to the Gers, you are enabling the continuation of this economic choice for this rural area!

A quiet café in the arcades of Montréal-du-Gers

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