What to visit in the Gers in Winter?

Winter is a season that holds many surprises for those who know how to appreciate it. In winter in the Gers, there are small pleasures to be offered, such as visits, tasting of the generous gastronomy of this region, meetings to be made. The Gers is a surprising territory, very natural and in winter, the luminosity will amaze you. On fine days, the paths crack under the frost, sometimes offering you magnificent views of the snow-capped Pyrenees mountains. Here are some ideas for enjoying winter in the Gers.

Photo credit: See under the photos. Opening photo Cécile Art / AdobeStock

Visit the charming villages of the Gers in winter

The Gers is a department with many pretty villages and charming towns with a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Whether you follow in the footsteps of D'Artagnan and the Musketeers or explore the history of Gascony, which has been written here for centuries, you will be transported by the architecture and the adventures of the various characters who have shaped the history of the Gers. Lace up your shoes and explore the cobbled streets and bastides, which sometimes look frosty in winter.

• Discover Auch, the capital of the Gers, on foot or by bike. All year round, it is an attractive city with a great cultural programme. Don't miss its beautiful St. Mary's Cathedral and its views of the surrounding countryside.
• Visit Fleurance, a medieval fortified town dating back to the 13th century. Perched on a hill, it is ideal for strolling around in winter, outside the tourist season.
• In Saint-Clar-de-Lomage, you will discover the region's traditional white garlic. It is also a very beautiful bastide.
• We take you to visit Mauvezin, the upper town and the lower town. It is the perfect place to discover the duck of the south-west in all its forms.
• Sarrant is one of the most beautiful villages in France, a small typical Gers village to discover.
• And one more! Montréal-du-Gers is also one of the most beautiful villages in France, on the way to Saint Jacques de Compostela.
• The small town of Lectoure awaits you to make you discover its characteristic blue, it is more than a color, it is an art of living, a plant, a pigment and a know-how.
• Visit Lavardens and its medieval castelnau, stroll through the town for a journey back in time.
• The circular bastide of Fourcès has some surprises in store for you, it is very small but deserves a stop!
• Visit La Romieu, its collegiate church and learn more about its cat legend as you wander through the charming narrow streets.
• Are we still in the Gers? It is said that Larressingle is the Little Carcassonne of the Gers. All surrounded by ramparts and dressed stones!

Discover the gastronomy of the Gers

Whether in one of the Gers restaurants or thanks to the provisions and local products of the Gers that you will have found in one of the traditional markets of the Gers, you will not run out of ideas for a treat. There is a season for everything, so not all delicacies may be available, but when it comes to duck, goose and all products processed from these two barnyard kings, the traditional Gers canneries that make foie-gras will make your mouth water.

Meeting with Armagnac, the brown gold of the Gers!

The Gers is a wine-growing region! Wines but especially Armagnac and its derivatives like Floc de Gascogne are to be discovered. Winter (the beginning, but especially autumn), is the season of the Flamme de l'Armagnac (from October to the end of January, depending on the estate), it is at this time that the stills distill the precious water of life. Consult the Agenda du Guide du Gers to find events around the Flame of Armagnac. It is also a wine- growing region that stretches between the Gers and the nearby Landes, where you can meet the producers of Armagnac du Gers, prestigious Châteaux for visits, tastings, etc.

Hikes and walks in the nature of the Gers

The Gersoise nature will show itself, it is promised, in its most beautiful light, on a beautiful winter day at the bend of its paths. The Balcony of the Pyrenees offers you breathtaking walks, with the backdrop of the snow-capped Pyrenees mountains. Superb panoramas await you, perched on the high pechs.

The hills are incredible, offering spectacular views that sometimes stretch as far as the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Read our article on the essential hikes in the Gers, and for the children to follow you with enthusiasm, consider the packages offered by Randoland, which takes you on a family tour of France with commented walks illustrated with riddles and games for children. and teenagers. Outside of peak season, you can even try out some of the orienteering trails and paths that remain accessible.

VISIT THE TOUR DE TERMES OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

Warm up in the Gers at Termes-d'Armagnac, a surprising medieval site that takes you on a journey back in time. Built in the 13th century, the tower proudly displays Gascon architecture and rises above the Adour and Arros valleys. These verdant landscapes can be seen from the keep's terrace, once you've passed through the museography, which offers an entertaining tour of the site's history. From the kitchen to the armory to the lord's chamber, each room has its own character, explained during a guided tour. Stroll through the Tour de Termes at your leisure, and you may be surprised to see a blacksmith, potter or carpenter at work, bringing these early medieval trades back to life. Throughout the year, you can enjoy workshops, demonstrations, cabaret evenings and major events such as Christmas. Don't hesitate to ask about the program to enjoy every special moment at the Tour de Termes.

Make cultural visits in the Gers in winter

They are not all open in winter, but most of the great cultural places and historical sites of visits in the Gers are available. Read our article on the Gers Museums and make your choice. Check out their website first.

However, the Guide du Gers can advise you with a list of sites that are open in winter:

The Château de Lavardens, the Abbey of Flaran, the Museum of the History of Costume, the Tower of Termes d'Armagnac, the Natural History Museum of Marciac, the Musée d'Artagnan de Lupiac, the Museum of Americas of Auch, the Château de Plieux (by appointment), the Public School Museum in Saint-Clar, the Center for Art and Photography in Lectoure, the Museum of Veterans for Freedom (in Brugnens). Call anyway before going there to find out the days and times.

Some practical tips for visiting the Gers in winter

This beautiful region can be enjoyed in any season, with a particularly peaceful atmosphere in winter. To make the most of your getaway, the Guide du Gers offers some practical advice:

• Check the opening hours of the sites you want to visit, as some close earlier in the low season
• Book your tours and tastings in advance, especially for Armagnac distilleries, which are in high demand at the end of the year
• Pack warm clothes, as winter can bring sharp drops in temperature at night and in the morning.
• Slow down in winter to enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the villages. Order a hot coffee while chatting with shopkeepers or talking to producers at the markets—what a pleasure it is to take your time.

We wish you a wonderful winter holiday in the Gers!

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