10 good reasons

On a rocky outcrop you notice the ochre stone of a church or a chateau. Take a break and stroll through the medieval lanes and let yourself be charmed by the tranquility of our villages, 6 of which have been ranked « Most Beautiful Villages® », 1 « Most Beautiful Detours in France® » and lastly, Great Auch « Land of Art and History® ». So roam the little roads of the Gers to discover our characterful villages: Sarrant, Lavardens, Larressingle, Montréal-du-Gers, Fourcès, La Romieu, Lectoure, Simorre, Bassoues, Cologne, Eauze, Castelnau-Barbarens, Saint-Clar and many others…

Between history and modernity, cultural places abound. The Abbey of Flaran houses the exceptional Simonow collection of masterpieces by great masters such as Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Braque, Courbet, Rodin… The chateau of Lavardens also holds art exhibitions. For those fond of antiquity and archeology, Elusa Capitale Antique is a treasure not to be missed. If your journey takes you to Auch, it is the Museum of the Americas-Auch that you must discover with the second most significant collection of pre-Colombian art in France. Here, art is everywhere, alive and numerous. So keep your eyes open wide, you will be astonished !

When you have reason to celebrate like the Gascons, it’s not surprising that there are so many events and festivals around music, rhythm and more! Numerous events punctuate the year in so many spheres like artistic circus performances, photography, astronomy, gastronomy, car racing… Many have strong links with the surrounding nature which gives them charm and their distinctive Gers character.

The parks and gardens of the Gers invite you for a stroll. In particular, our two sites classified Remarkable Gardens. Discover the Gardens of Coursiana with its 700 rare species of trees and bushes from 5 continents, its English garden, the arboretum, family vegetable plot and its perfumed garden of aromatic medicinal plants. The Palmeraie du Sarthou, is an exotic promenade over nearly 8 hectares with palm trees, banana groves, arboretum, lotuses and water lilies, a nursery specializing in exotic plants, an orchard… And to extend the beauty of the garden, it also has permanent art exhibitions.

On foot, horseback, on a bicycle, on land or on water, all ways are good ways to discover the Gers, at your own pace and liking. Walkers will find themselves on the Saint-Jacques de Compostela routes and many other walking  trails that crisscross the Gers. Cycling enthusiasts can ride along the peaceful Baïse valley on the V82 cycle path, adapted for them over a hundred kilometers in the Gers or go on the many circuits dedicated to electric or mountain bikes. Finally, the European Route d’Artagnan is not lacking in panache. A transnational equestrian route, it meets the desires of long distance riders. Set out from Lupiac, the birthplace of the famous Musketeer to follow in his footsteps, and who knows, maybe as far as Maastricht, the city where he lost his life. Discover the 200km Gers loop and its major sites.

Tree climbing adventures, visiting farms, air and mechanical sports, canoeing, leisure centres and other water sports, there is no shortage of activities for young and old. If you want to be active and have a blast, while staying in touch with nature, there is certainly something you can do in the Gers: fishing, golf, geocaching, orienteering, rail biking, astronomy…