ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL

At the summit of the old town, the cathedral symbolizes the power of the archbishops who had it built in the 15th^century . At 100 m long, 40 m wide and 44 m high, the square towers of Sainte-Marie Cathedral are the last Gothic cathedral to be built in France, and perhaps the most spectacular. Whether you arrive from the east or west of the city, you can already see it towering over the town. So grandiose, our gaze is captured by its immensity. Its impressive dimensions make it an unusual edifice that took 200 years to build. As a result, several architectural eras run through this cathedral. Its original flamboyant Gothic style evolves into a Renaissance style, and even takes on a Baroque aesthetic in the part reserved for the canons. As you enter, you're immediately impressed by the sheer size of the nave, 26 m high under the vaults. The 113 choir stalls are finely decorated with 1,500 scenes and figures carved from solid oak. The craftsmen have created a veritable storybook. No two stalls are identical. Episodes of famine, biblical and mythological scenes, and legendary references take turns to form a fascinating frieze, enabling the choir to be classified as one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is closed by a black and white marble altarpiece created in the ^18th century by Pierre Souffron II. Auch Cathedral also boasts other treasures: A monumental ^17th-century organ, with 3,600 pipes above the façade rose, a second organ donated by Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie, and above all its nave topped by 18 windows adorned with sumptuous stained glass. Signed by Arnaud de Moles, little is known about this ^16th-century master glassmaker. Transparency effects, attention to detail with the crumpling and draping of garments, mastery of light and warm, vivid colors that play with the sun: this ensemble, completed in 1513, is astonishing in its theme and hypnotic aura. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also a must-see on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Whether guided or self-guided, don't miss this unspoilt gem in the heart of Gascony during your visit to the Gers. And to discover even more, you can also visit the Musée du Trésor de la Cathédrale, an interpretation center for the cathedral, its history and its architecture, containing a sublime collection of religious and sacred art objects.