Auch

Our nearest town is just ten minutes away and is the prefecture of the Gers department. As one of the major towns in the region it has great facilities, two huge supermarkets, a busy town centre and a fabulous year-round country market on Thursdays and Saturdays. The historic centre has a spectacular 13th century cathedral, restaurants and some fine shops to explore. On the edge of town is the beautiful Bois d’Auch with paths to follow through the trees and a fitness trail for the energetic.

Local market towns

Being at the heart of an agricultural community, the markets have an abundance of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and flowers throughout the year. As well as Auch market on Thursdays and Saturdays, there are other markets within a 20 minute drive at Samatan, Seissan and Fleurance, as well as the world famous foie gras market at Gimont.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a fabulous city to visit at any time of the year. It has wonderful shops and boutiques, some great museums, lots of live music and, as you would expect, some wonderful restaurants. Toulouse is also the centre of the growing aerospace industry and visitors can take tours of the factories and even see the massive Airbus 360 being constructed. It is home to one of Europe’s top rugby clubs, has large cinemas that often show English speaking versions of films and lots of great fun places for children to go to for the day – Karting, Lazerquest and a lovely little zoo are particular favourites. All this and more is blended together with an exotic melange of French and Iberian cultures and architecture - Toulouse is a fascinating city to visit.

The Pyrenees

Just over an hour’s drive away are the beautiful villages and scenery of the Pyreneean mountains. For skiing trips in the winter there are a number of resorts, all within an hour and a half’s drive, offering a good range of skiing for families. Some of the resorts are especially good for beginners.

In the summer months these mountains become even more of a family playground. If you are feeling active then take a canyoning trip. High up in the mountains you are guided through a long meandering river canyon, discovering natural water slides, deep jump pools and spectacular sights at every turn. Take a drive, following winding mountain passes, to discover one of the many land-locked crystal clear lakes and have a waterside picnic. Or follow the breathtaking Valley de Rioumajou, with its tall pine trees, flat green pastures and winding rivers. This is where the locals go for summer picnics and lazy afternoons in the sunshine. It all makes for a beautiful day out. You will also find the mountains a great spot for river rafting, canoeing, hiking, climbing and mountain biking.

Festivals

The region has many traditional French fêtes and festivals throughout the year. From world famous Country, Latin and Jazz music events to more rustic agricultural, flower and garlic festivals, there really is something for all tastes. Auch is also home to one of France’s most famous circus schools. Each year, in October, it holds a three day circus festival, with acts from all over the world descending on the town to perform for visitors and locals alike. During weekends over the summer months one village or another will be ‘en fete’, the signal for two or three long days of drinking the local wine, sampling great local produce and dancing the night away.

Activities

If you are planning to bring a group away for a birthday or family event, or some work colleagues on a team building or business incentive trip, there is plenty to do in the region. We are happy to help you to plan a range activities during your stay. To give you an idea of what is on offer we have listed below some of the events and activities available close by:

  • Horse riding
  • Quad biking
  • Paint balling
  • Shooting
  • Rafting/canoeing trips
  • Tree top adventure parks
  • Summer water parks
  • Hot air balloning
  • Armagnac and wine tastings
  • Airbus factory tours
  • Natural spas and thermals
  • Opera in Toulouse
  • Three golf courses
  • Rugby tours
  • Skiing/snowboarding
  • Canyoning and rock climbing
  • Mountain biking
  • Torchlight husky tours