Top 10 unusual visits in the Gers

Foie gras, Armagnac, d’Artagnan… No, Gers is not just that! Take advantage of your stay in Gascony lands to get off the beaten track and discover the hidden riches of the Gers.

The 10 unusual visits in the Gers

1. Stroll along the botanical trail of Valence-sur-Baïse
2. Sleep in an unusual place
3. Dive into the heart of the 7th art
4. Uncover the secrets of chefs
5. Feeling very small in front of Sainte-Marie d'Auch Cathedral
6. Marvel at the Armagnac cellars
7. Shiver at the Château de Caumont
8. See life in blue in Lectoure
9. Swing in Marciac
10. Listen to the legend of the cats at La Romieu

1) Stroll along the botanical trail of Valence-sur-Baïse

With its privileged location, on the southern ramparts of the bastide town of Valence-sur-Baïse, and its setting of terraced gardens, this natural space is a real curiosity !

It will immerse you in a Mediterranean atmosphere where endemic species such as cacti, fig trees, palm trees and laurel trees coexist. For unusual species, information panels are there to enlighten you !

But the singularity of this plant trail lies in its invitation to discover the legends of fairies, “las hadas” in Gascon. Around sixty houses and fairy doors, regularly renewed, tell you the fabulous local stories that surround the village. A magical family outing !

2) Sleep in an unusual place in the Gers

Experience a unique stay in the Gers, a destination with no shortage of surprises or unusual rentals. Spend a night in a castle ? It's possible ! Each one more surprising than the last, they welcome you in a Napoleonic -era guest room or in a tent pitched in the garden. Nature lovers will be able to have sweet dreams in a yurt, while eco-responsible Gascon farms delight travelers concerned about their carbon footprint.

3) Dive into the heart of the Gers 7th Art

The Gers is a filming land. What if you followed in the footsteps of the famous film Le Bonheur est dans le pré by Etienne Chatiliez, filmed between Vic-Fezensac and Eauze ? Or on those of d'Artagnan, one of the most romantic Gers characters? Although few films about the musketeer have been filmed in his native land, the latter retains its soul and its family home.

4) Uncover the secrets of the Chefs du Gers

In the land of ducks, gluttony is not a bad fault ! Other traditional or inventive recipes will awaken your taste buds and delight you! The Gers chefs are waiting for you to discover Gascon gastronomy and share with you their manufacturing secrets through cooking workshops.

5) Feeling very small in front of Sainte-Marie d'Auch Cathedral

With its appearance of Notre-Dame de Paris, the majestic Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Auch is sure to surprise you ! For an even more astonishing visit, don't hesitate to have fun distinguishing the variety of styles (due to a construction period of 200 years), looking up to see the Napoleon column commemorating his visit to Auch, and noting the 1,500 characters sculpted in the choir stalls, or let yourself be impressed by the modern and interactive scenography of the Cathedral Treasure Museum...

6) Marvel at the Armagnac cellars

The Gers is full of remarkable cellars at least a century old, sometimes semi-buried, from which the noble, fine and fragrant eaux-de-vie of Bas-Armagnac come out. Marvel at the incredible oak barrels and centuries-old stills. You can even come and visit the most beautiful cellars in the region aboard a superb and legendary 2CV ! Original !

7) Shiver at the Château de Caumont

The Caumont estate has two castles , just that ! A huge playground for young and old alike. Discover the castle differently through the escape game offered and suitable for all ages. It takes place in the underground passages of the castle. Be careful, your journey will be strewn with pitfalls !

8) See life in blue in Lectoure

What if you spent an afternoon discovering a vanished ancestral artisanal know-how, natural fabric dyeing ? You can relive the astonishing history of dyers' pastel, this plant which gives an exceptional blue, with the Bleu de Lectoure workshop. It produces this iconic pigment for use in fine arts, decoration and textiles.

9) Swing in Marciac

Marciac? It is this unique little village in the Gers which lives to the rhythm of jazzy sounds every year in the middle of summer. Jazz in Marciac is an internationally renowned festival that brings together the biggest names in the genre. Don't miss these incredible musical performances ! Take the opportunity to also take a look at the Jazz Territories Museum.

10) Listen to the legend of the cats at La Romieu

In La Romieu, you have to have fun looking for the cats that adorn every street corner in memory of the fabulous medieval legend of Angeline's cats who saved the town from famine ! La Romieu is therefore a village with a unique charm which promises a unique visit. For the less explorers, a tour following in the footsteps of Angeline's cats is available at the tourist office...

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