Travel guide Gers

A new ecosystem is developing in Auch and in the east of the department. Aeronautical equipment manufacturers and subcontractors have chosen the Gers to set up their factories, which supply the neighbouring giant Airbus. The number of specialised companies has multiplied over the last ten years to become the second industrial force in the department.

Sunflowers cover the valleys in a fan shape in the north, while corn drinks from the Pyrenean gaves in the south. In summer, the plots of land form a colorful patchwork like a Van Gogh canvas. Responsible, the farmers of Gers are more and more numerous to operate an organic conversion. In addition to being beautiful, the Gers is often organic.

In Occitania, the bastide is a new town built according to an orthogonal plan, around a central square surrounded by arcades. It dates back to a period between 1222 and 1373, which corresponds to a great demographic and urban expansion. The bastide responds to an original political project, based on the equality and autonomy of the inhabitants.

It is without question the king of the Gascon gastronomy. The Gersois, these fine cooks, are masters in the art of preparing all the pieces. Stuffed neck, livers in terrine, pâté, sausage and sausage, confit, pan-fried or dried duck breast, roasted aiguillettes, carcass broth, fat fritons, parsley hearts... Let's eat!

The IGP Côtes-de-Gascogne is one of the most famous appellations of the Gers. The vineyards, planted in the west and north of the department, extend into the Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. The white wines, lively and often tinged with notes of exotic fruits, dominate the production and are also the first in their category in France.

The Gersois feels first of all Gascon. His territory extends from the south of the Garonne to the Pyrenees, with the exception of the Basque Country. Gascony fell into the hands of the Duke of Aquitaine in 1063. As a result, some people think that the Gascon is backward-looking. Others admire the tenacity of this people who have managed to preserve their culture over the centuries.

Catholic land, crossed by pilgrimage routes, the Gers has five cathedrals: Auch and its majestic stained glass windows, Lectoure and its bell tower, Condom and its imposing choir, Eauze and its double nave. Almost all of them were built on the remains of very old churches dating back to the 3rd century.

From November to March, five towns host a fat market: Eauze, Fleurance, Seissan, Gimont and Samatan. Local producers gather in the market hall to offer fresh livers and duck carcasses. The locals come early to get the best livers, which should be chosen neither too firm nor too soft.

With its rounded relief, the Gers praises slowness. It can be discovered on foot or by bike. Following the two pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, hikers are numerous from spring to autumn. The roads, which are not too busy, and the mountain bike routes also make it a paradise for cyclists.

A good Gersois tackles, kicks, frames, overflows and flattens. From an early age, boys and girls learn to play the oval ball. Each village has its own pitch and lives to the rhythm of the match sheets. During the Six Nations Tournament, the cafés fill up and everyone gets together to lift the team to glory.

From Barbotan-les-Thermes, Castéra-Verduzan and Lectoure spring steaming waters whose virtues are often known since Antiquity. Today, these resorts are transformed to welcome people in search of relaxation. Thermal cures but also wellness massages, spas, indoor swimming pools allow you to create a cocoon of softness.

A piedmont region, the Gers is crisscrossed with rolling hills that are adorned by proud cypress trees from far and wide. This is probably why Stendhal called the Lomagne the "French Tuscany". Or is it because of the town of Fleurance? Its founder, Eustache de Beaumarchais, named it after the city of Florence.