5 festivals not to be missed in the Gers

As soon as the good weather arrives, the Gers transforms into an open-air stage. Here, celebration is second nature, inherited from the Gascon traditions of conviviality passed down from generation to generation.

From medieval fortified towns to the vineyards of Armagnac, culture is everywhere. Whether you're a jazz aficionado, a fan of Latin rhythms, a stargazer, or a lover of wide open spaces, the department is sure to have something for you.

Between international programs and human-scale festivals, get ready to be thrilled! The Gers Guide has selected the unmissable events for you: follow the guide, we'll take you to the heart of the Gers effervescence.

Which festival should I attend in the Gers region?

1. New Mirande Country & Rock Festival

Cowboy hat firmly in place, cowboy boots on your feet: welcome to the New Mirande Country & Rock Festival ! Every July, the town of Mirande transforms for a long weekend into a slice of America in the heart of the Gers region. The 2026 edition takes place from July 10th to 14th, with a country, rock, and rockabilly lineup that will have the Gascon soil shaking.

It's a festive and quirky event that attracts thousands of American culture fans from all over Europe every year. Beyond the concerts on the main stage, the festival offers rodeo and bull riding shows, an exhibition of American cars and motorcycles, a tattoo village, a children's village, and a permanent carnival atmosphere that makes the experience unique.

How to get to the Mirande festival?

Mirande is a 30-minute drive from Auch. Parking is available on site. An Outside Pass (€10/day) allows you to enjoy the atmosphere, the village, and the smaller stages without accessing the main stage concerts: ideal for a gentle introduction to the festival.

Where to sleep?

On-site camping is available for festival-goers. For added comfort, Mirande has accommodation in the town centre, and Auch, 30 minutes away, offers a wider choice of hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Where to eat?

The festival features a food truck village and refreshment stands offering burgers, grilled meats, and American-style snacks. Beyond the festival grounds, Mirande and the surrounding area also boast excellent restaurants where you can sample Gers cuisine. A perfect way to combine cowboys and duck confit!

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Mirande is a pretty bastide town that's worth exploring in its own right. Nearby, the village of Bassoues, with its medieval tower, and the Berdoues Abbey offer pleasant places to unwind between concerts.

2. Jazz in Marciac

The season kicks off on July 20, 2026, in Marciac. A true institution since its founding in 1978, Jazz in Marciac has established itself as one of Europe's leading jazz festivals, while retaining its Gascon village charm. Its unique strength lies in its format: here, people don't just come for the concerts, but to experience an entire village transformed into the world capital of jazz for two weeks.

It's an intergenerational event open to all, capable of bringing together bebop purists, jazz fusion fans, and curious newcomers around a large 10,000-seat tent. And outside the tent, the streets of Marciac come alive with the Festival Bis : free concerts, masterclasses, meet-and-greets with the artists…

The program for this 2026 edition is particularly anticipated, with the opening provided by Sting, and a dream lineup: Diana Krall, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Ibrahim Maalouf, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Youn Sun Nah, and many other international virtuosos.

How to get to Jazz in Marciac?

Marciac is accessible by car from Auch (45 min), Tarbes (40 min) or Toulouse (1 hour 15 min). Shuttles and carpooling services are organized from major cities during the festival. Dedicated parking areas are located on the outskirts of the village; it's just a short walk to the big top.

Where to sleep?

Accommodation around Marciac is fully booked weeks in advance : book as early as possible! Consider expanding your search to neighboring villages and the city of Auch to find availability. Campsites are also available near the site.

Where to eat?

During the festival, the entire village comes alive with food : restaurant terraces, food trucks, and bars fill the streets of Marciac until late into the night. For a more relaxed break, the surrounding villages and Auch offer excellent options for Gascon cuisine.

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Got a few hours to spare before the concert? Take the opportunity to explore the region. Just a stone's throw from Marciac, the village of Bassoues and its 40-meter tower are well worth a visit. Further afield, the Armagnac vineyards invite you for a pleasant stroll and a tasting. And if you enjoy medieval villages, Larressingle and Fourcès are less than 30 minutes away.

3. Tempo Latino in Vic-Fezensac

Who said Gers was tame? At the end of July, Vic-Fezensac explodes with color, rhythm, and dance! Tempo Latino is the leading European festival of Latin and Afro-Cuban music, born in 1994 in this small village in Gers. The 31st edition will take place from July 30 to August 2, 2026.

For four days, the Vic-Fezensac arena transforms into a dance floor under the stars. Salsa, Cuban son, cumbia, Caribbean rhythms… The program is a musical journey through Latin America. And the festival isn't limited to concerts: dance workshops for all levels, open-air dances, and a free fringe event in the village complete the experience.

The 2026 edition promises a great international lineup, including Maïte Hontele, the Orquesta Akokan, Matt Bianco, Alfredo Rodriguez and Tony Succar.

How to get to Tempo Latino?

Vic-Fezensac is located 30 minutes from Auch and 1 hour 30 minutes from Toulouse. Official shuttle buses ("Navetitas") run from neighboring towns: book them in advance on the festival website. Free parking is available at the entrance to the village.

Where to sleep?

An official campsite is available on site, reserved for concert pass holders. For added convenience, the towns of Auch and Condom offer accommodation and bed and breakfasts within a reasonable distance.

Where to eat?

Inside the festival grounds, street food stalls and refreshment stands offer tapas, grilled meats, and Spanish specialties to match the atmosphere. In the village, several places open during the festival provide opportunities to unwind between dance sessions.

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Vic-Fezensac is ideally located for exploring the Gers region. The medieval fortified town of Montréal-du-Gers, the Armagnac cellars to visit around Condom, and the local farmers' markets offer plenty of opportunities to extend your stay by discovering Gascon flavors.

4. Fleurance Astronomy Festival

This is the most original festival in the department and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in France. Since 1991, Fleurance has hosted one of Europe's major astronomy festivals every summer. The 36th edition will take place from July 31 to August 7, 2026, and will bring together nearly 50 renowned scientists to share their discoveries with the public in a spirit of encounter and conviviality.

It's an event accessible to everyone, from the youngest (as young as 5) to the most passionate, offering captivating lectures, a science marathon (12 lectures on a single theme!), courses for all levels, and unforgettable stargazing evenings. And in 2026, the context is particularly exciting: a total solar eclipse is expected on August 12, right after the festival!

How to get to the Astronomy Festival?

Fleurance is located 25 minutes from Auch and 45 minutes from Agen. The town is accessible by car, with parking available on site. Carpooling can be arranged through the festival's network.

Where to sleep?

Fleurance has accommodation in the town centre. For more choice, Lectoure (15 minutes away) and Auch (25 minutes away) offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts in an authentic Gascon setting.

Where to eat?

The town of Fleurance brings its restaurants and cafes to life during the festival week. It's the perfect opportunity to discover Gers cuisine —foie gras, duck breast, croustade—between lectures on black holes!

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Fleurance is well placed to explore the east of Gers. Lectoure and its 40 medieval monuments, the Coursiana garden and its 350 varieties of roses, and the villages of the Gascon Lomagne, such as Sarrant, are within easy reach for a beautiful day of discovery.

5. Circa in Auch

In the autumn, it's Auch 's turn to come alive with Circa, the national festival of contemporary circus arts. Every October, between 15 and 20 companies take over the Gascon capital to present their most daring creations. The 2026 edition takes place from October 16 to 23.

Poetic acrobatics, aerial dance, reinvented juggling… Circa is circus with a twist: no lions or traditional clowns, but inventive and contemporary shows that push the boundaries of the discipline. Performances take place under big tops, indoors, or outdoors throughout the city of Auch, offering a unique and immersive experience. It's also a wonderful way to end the tourist season in Gascony, in a city that truly deserves a thorough visit.

How to get to Circa?

Auch is the capital of the Gers department, accessible by train from Toulouse (1 hour). By car, it is reachable from Toulouse (1 hour), Bordeaux (1 hour 45 minutes), and Tarbes (1 hour). The city center is easily accessible on foot from the train station.

Where to sleep?

Auch boasts a wide range of accommodation options, from city center hotels to bed and breakfasts on the outskirts. The city is the ideal base for exploring the Gers region during your stay.

Where to eat?

Auch is a city where you can eat well. Its city centre restaurants, especially around the Sainte-Marie cathedral and the monumental staircase, offer fine Gascon cuisine in often charming settings.

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Make the most of your stay in Auch by discovering Sainte-Marie Cathedral and its exceptional stained-glass windows, climbing the monumental staircase for a breathtaking view of the city, and strolling through the narrow streets of the old historic center. Just 30 minutes away, the villages of Lavardens and Larressingle will perfectly complement your immersion in the Gers region.

And also… Other festivals to add to your calendar

The Gers region certainly has no shortage of ideas for bringing its villages to life throughout the year! In addition to our five top picks and the Gers Guide, take advantage of the festivals to discover the surrounding areas:

• Garorock in Marmande: It's the behemoth of festivals in Lot-et-Garonne, located just an hour's drive from northern Gers (Condom or Lectoure). From June 25th to 28th, 2026, the Filhole plain transforms into a massive party. For its 30th edition, the festival pulls out all the stops, welcoming big names like Bigflo & Oli, Gims, PLK, and Major Lazer. It's the perfect getaway to groove to contemporary music and electronic music without leaving Gascony.
• The Rose Festival in Toulouse: the unmissable urban and pop event of late summer, ideally located at the MEETT, less than an hour's drive from eastern Gers (like L'Isle-Jourdain). From August 27th to 29th, 2026, the event created by brothers Bigflo & Oli will electrify the Pink City with a massive lineup blending rap, pop, and electro. It's the perfect quick and festive getaway to end your holidays in style, right on your doorstep.

So, which one appeals to you? Gers offers its visitors much more than just gastronomy and medieval fortified towns. It's also a region that knows how to celebrate, and does so with typical Gascon generosity. Book early, accommodations fill up fast!

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