The Gers,
heart of Gascony, home of armagnac, Foie Gras, D’Artagnan the not
altogether fictitious musketeer the Gascon cuisine with its many
canard based dishes and the city of Auch the heart of Gascony with its wonderful
cathedral including some of the finest wood carving and stained glass in France,
its medieval streets and all the facilities you could need but still maintaining
its small town feel.
The Gers
is the least populated department of France, has no prison within its
borders, not one kilometre of motorway and was the last department in France
to have a MacDonalds!
A land of
rolling hills and valleys leading to the Pyrenees, a land of farms &
vineyards with some of the best & least known wine, such as Madiran, Buzet &
Cote St Mont, wonderful dark reds and fruity whites.
An area of
peace and quiet, of empty roads and spectacular views, of medieval villages
and inexpensive auberges, but with the life and bustle of any farming and
grape growing community. An area where family values still hold sway and the
pace of life is not that of the big city. The 2 hour lunch is still the norm.
For the nature
lover an area of countryside walks, abundant wildlife and unusual birds, some
of the freshest air in France due to the lack of any heavy industry,
punctuated by the evocative “countryside smells”!
An area for
relaxation & the good life where neighbours do not lock their doors. The
Pyrenees and Spain are 1 to 1 1/2 hours away and the Atlantic
coast, with its wonderful sandy beaches about 2 hours.
An area of
great natural beauty, an area in which to relax and enjoy doing very little or
as much as you want. There is a wealth of natural and manmade attractions. An
area that has attracted more ex pats over the last few years but has avoided
the some of the worst “ghetto” problems of some other regions.
We at La
Batterie (www.french-help.com) have been in the Gers for
over 20 years, one of the first to arrive!
During that time we have been involved with the letting of gites and
accommodation to holiday makers and the supply of English TV and radio to
people making a new life in France. We have always been more than happy to
advise and help with any problems and queries that may arise, so if we can be
of service?
Do visit
Gascony and the Gers. We are sure you will love it as much as we
and many other “immigrants” do!!
