The Ultimate Guide to visit Gascony in France – Best Places to see

Visit Gascony, a historical region located in southwestern France, known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and flavorful cuisine. The Gascony region is a fascinating mix of history, tradition, and modernity, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking to experience the best of France.

Contents

1 History
2 Things to Do
3 D’Artagnan – The Musketeer from Gascony
4 Towns of Gascony Region
5 How to Get There
6 How to Get Around
7 When to Go to visit Gascony

History

Gascony has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was an independent region ruled by the Plantagenet dynasty. The region has also been heavily influenced by the Romans and the Moors, and you can see the traces of their influence in the region’s architecture and culture. Gascony is also known for its wine and brandy, which have been produced in the region for centuries.

Scenic summer view of Lavardens village in Gascony, Occitanie region, southwestern France, showcasing traditional architecture and lush greenery. — Lavardens, France: A picturesque summer landscape in the historic province of Gascony.

Things to Do

Explore the fortified towns of Auch and Lectoure: These charming towns are full of history and character, with narrow streets, old stone houses, and beautiful churches. Make sure to visit Auch’s Cathedral of Sainte-Marie and Lectoure’s thermal baths.
Taste the famous foie gras and Armagnac brandy: Gascony is known for its gastronomy, and foie gras and Armagnac are the region’s most famous delicacies. Visit a local farm or distillery to learn more about the production process and taste the products.
Enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Pyrenees and the Gers: Visit Gascony, its rural region with beautiful countryside and rolling hills. The Pyrenees mountains offer stunning views and great hiking opportunities, while the Gers region is known for its sunflower fields and vineyards.
Attend a local festival or market: Gascony is known for its lively festivals and markets, which are a great way to experience the local culture and traditions. Some of the most popular include the Jazz in Marciac festival and the Auch Flower Market.
Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Agen: This museum houses a collection of paintings and sculptures from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Matisse.

D’Artagnan – The Musketeer from Gascony

The Musketeers were a military in French that was tasked with the responsibility of protecting the king. From 1611 to 1673, Charles de Batz Castelmore, who was also referred to as d’Artagnan served as captain for the Musketeers of the Guard for Louis XIV.

Born near Lupic in France, d’Artagnan was the son of Arnaud de Batz, the merchant who bought the castle of Castelmore. In the 1930s, d’Artagnan left his home in Gascony and left for Paris suing his mother’s name.

He became a Musketeer thanks to the support of his uncle. He then joined the guards in the 1630s and he was able to serve under Captain des Essarts.

Due to his faithful service, Louis XIV entrusted a lot of his secrets to D’Artagnan. Over the years, he was promoted to lieutenant and then to captain-lieutenant for the Musketeers. He was however killed in 1673 during the siege of Maastricht.

Towns of Gascony Region

Gascony is bordered by the Pyrenees mountains to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is divided into five departments: Gers, Landes, Hautes-Pyrenees, Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrenees-Atlantiques. Each department has its unique character and attractions, from the rolling hills and vineyards of Gers to the sandy beaches of Landes and the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees.

Auch

Auch is an ancient town and a departmental capital of the Gers. This town is known for its attractions such as the Renaissance Cathedral of Sainte-Marie which has beautiful stained-glass windows.

You can take a tour of this cathedral to have a closer look at these windows, which were dismantled during World War II and later returned. Just recently, the windows were restored with each window costing 110,000 euros.

Other top sites include the Tour D’Artagnan, which is a 14th-century prison. This historic capital also has a great heritage and offers stunning views of the Gers Valley.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is located on Garonne River banks and is renowned for its wine-related activities. This town has a long history and is home to popular attractions like the Museum of Aquitaine, Place de la Bourse, Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, and many more.

You can as well take a stroll at Port of the Moon, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. If you are tired from exploring the town, you can head on to the Parc de Majolan to relax. There is so much to see and do in this historic town.

Luchon

Luchon is a town located in the Pyrenees mountain, and which is famous for its healing water that started during the Gallo-Roman times. This region became a popular spa town, thanks to the thermal baths.

Today, this town is a destination of choice for spa-goers, hikers, skiers, and bikers. As you stroll around the town, the vibe of thermalism is still evident. The town is also surrounded by beautiful, lush gardens, hotels, and picturesque Belle Epoque villas.

Bayonne

Located in the South West, Bayonne is a town in Gascony that is famous for its rich history, art, festivals, and gastronomy. It is also famed for the invention of the bayonet and for its chocolate.

Situated at the junction of Rivers Nive and Adour, this town is home to the 14th-century gothic Cathedral Sainte-Marie. There is also so much to learn in this town including the construction of the ramparts and fonts by the Vauban under Louis XIV.

Lourdes

This town is renowned for pilgrimage and charms travelers with its stunning surroundings. Over the years, this town has developed into a place for Roman Catholic Pilgrimage and where miraculous healings take place.

Montreal-du-Gers

Considered the oldest bastide in Gascony or Gers, this town was first established in 1255 by the Count of Toulouse. It was constructed on a promontory using a traditional rigid plan. It is home to a Gothic church that was built in the 13the century.

View of Montreal, a charming commune in the Gers department of France, featuring traditional French architecture. — Montreal, Gers: Discovering the quaint charm of this French commune.

Interesting, ruins were uncovered in the town in 1959, making it an ideal for archaeology enthusiasts to visit. The ruins date back from the 2^nd to the 5^th century and they revealed thermal pools and baths and an underground heating system.

Eauze

Although Eauze is a small town, archaeology lovers will find a great place to visit. This town features pieces of Ger’s ancient history. It is also the birthplace of Domaine Tariquet, a family-owned winery that dates back to 100 years.

The cobblestone main square of Éauze, France, on May 22, 2021, showcasing medieval buildings and ivy-covered facades. — Éauze’s Timeless Beauty: The Medieval Main Square

Wine lovers can stop by this winery to taste the two roses, 10 white wines, and Armagnacs that are stored in the ancient cellars.

Pau

Pau France is an attractive town and the capital of Western Pyrenees. If you want to explore the Pyrenees, Pau would be a good place to start. Besides, there is so much to explore in this town including a castle and the Musee des Beaux-Arts gallery.

Evening view of the historic Pau Castle in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Aquitaine, France, under a twilight sky. — Twilight at Pau Castle: An evening glimpse of Aquitaine’s historical landmark

Art lovers will have the chance to explore works of different artists such as El Greco, Boudin, Rubens, Marquet, Corot, Ribera and Vuillard.

How to Get There

Table below outlines the distances and estimated travel times for reaching Gascony from major French cities by car, train, and bus:

Destination	Distance (km)	Distance (mi)	Car (hours)	Train (hours)	Bus (hours)
Bordeaux	151	94	2	1.5	2
Lyon	578	359	6.5	5	8
Marseille	650	404	7	4.5	10
Nice	847	526	9.5	6.5	14
Paris	764	475	7.5	4	9
Strasbourg	1080	671	11.5	6.5	14
Toulouse	108	67	1.5	1	2

Please note that the travel times to visit Gascony, listed above, are estimates and may vary depending on traffic, weather conditions, and other factors. Additionally, there may be additional transportation options available, such as flights or car rentals, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

How to Get Around

Gascony is a rural region, so the best way to get around is by car. You can rent a car at the airport or train station and explore the region at your own pace. If you prefer public transportation, there are regional buses and trains available, but they can be infrequent and not always convenient.

When to Go to visit Gascony

The best time to visit Gascony is in the spring (April to May) or fall (September to November), when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. The summer months (June to August) can be hot and crowded, while the winter months (December to February) can be cold and rainy.

Gascony is a beautiful and authentic region of France that’s waiting to be explored. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, Gascony offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience. So why not pack your bags and come discover this hidden gem for yourself?