Surrounded by fields of sunflowers in the heart of the Gers region, Maison des Pelerins has over twelve hectares of land and is reached via a long and private lane. It’s just over a kilometre to a small quiet village and around a ten-minute drive to another picturesque village with a bakery (except Mondays), small supermarket and restaurant.
There are larger supermarkets and a wider choice of amenities in Fleurance (13km), a bastide town with a lot of character and an atmospheric market on a Tuesday morning, a brilliant way to introduce yourselves to some of the gastronomic delights of Gascony. Lectoure (17km) is another great market town with some delightful shops whilst food-lovers will also appreciate Condom (19km), a historic town on the River Baise, with its Michelin starred restaurant.
There is a wealth of idyllic medieval villages to visit as well as undulating landscapes of hills, woodland and summer sunflowers to admire – it’s no surprise that Gascony is also known as the ‘little Tuscany of France’.
Three of the region’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ are within easy reach - Larressingle (24km), Fourcès (30km) and Montréal (35km). Even closer, the flower-filled village of La Romieu (20km) is also an enchanting place to visit which can be combined with a stroll around the beautiful botanical gardens at Les Jardins de Coursiana.
Another way to discover the region’s great natural beauty is by cycling, walking or horse-riding through the gorgeous scenery or hire canoes along the River Baise in Beaucaire. In July and August, spend time at the Base de Loisirs in Castéra-Verduzan with its lake, swimming, pedalos, water slides and inflatable course. If you prefer golf, the 18-hole Golf De Fleurance is around a 20-minute drive away.
A little further afield, spend the day exploring Auch (31km), the historic capital of the region, with its grand cathedral resting high up above the Gers river. Agen (50km) is another fine trip out or head south to Marciac (65km), an impressive town known for its art, music and theatre, especially around the time of the summer jazz festival in late July and August.
As well as the extraordinary cuisine of the Gers, from duck, goose and foie gras to white garlic, melons and even kiwi fruit, Gascony is also Grand Armagnac country and there are many producers to visit for tours and tastings.
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
