Gascony is often referred to as the Tuscany of France. One of the country’s best kept secrets, famous for its gastronomy, hours-long meals and ‘’douceur de vivre’’, the region is close to the Pyrenees mountains and stretches between Toulouse and Bordeaux.

It has one of the country’s lowest population density and offers peaceful, magnificent landscapes including rolling hills, wooded valleys, vineyards, sunflowers and a plethora of charming arcade village squares.

A truly unspoiled region, voted 2nd best place in the world for quality of life by the Telegraph: Read the article here. The “Gers” (as called by the locals) will give you a real sense of authenticity with weekly farmer markets filled by charming locals keen to introduce you to their land.

For group retreats visiting the Chateau, we can arrange various excursions, for either half or full day: Condom, Lectoure, St Puy, Auch and la ferme du Hitton.

8 to 11 participants 12 to 14 participants 15 to 20 participants
Price per person 1/2 day                 47 €                 37 €                 32 €
Price per person full day                 62 €                 52 €                 42 €

Other trips are available on requests. Excursions are subject to transport availability. All excursions must be paid at least 2 weeks in advance by bank transfer. Prices above exclude lunch.

1/ Condom : (Wednesday ideal)

Morning : Outdoor authentic French market/Cathedral/Three Muskateers Statue/Shops

Lunch : Table des Cordeliers www.latabledescordeliers.com

Afternoon : Visit to Abbaye de Flaran  http://www.tourisme-condom.com/decouvrir/le-grand-site-flaran-baise-armagnac/l-abbaye-de-flaran

2/ Lectoure: (Friday Ideal)

Morning : Outdoor authentic French market/Cathedral/Shops. More info here and here.

Lunch : Many places to choose from  https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurants-g488143-Lectoure_Gers_Occitanie.html

Shopping at the Antique Market

Day Spa (Thermal Bath)

Hot Air Balloons

https://www.montgolfieres-gascogne.fr/montgolfiere.html

Winery: Domaine d’Arton Home – Arton, Haut Armagnac & Vins de Gascogne

3/ St. Puy :

Armagnac tastings (English tour available)

http://www.monluc.fr/

Lunch or Dinner at Chez Vous outdoor terrace

http://www.tourisme-condom.com/ou-manger-ou-dormir/chez-vous-753417

Possible painting workshop

4/ Auch : (Thursday ideal)

Morning : Outdoor authentic French market/LARGE historic cathedral/shops

Lunch : Many, many choices, large city for the Gers

Afternoon : Musée des Jacobins (Under renovation, great collection, opening in Spring 2019) http://www.musee-jacobins.auch.fr/

5/ La Ferme du Hitton: 1/2 day ideal with kids

Large farm with lavender fields and donkeys

Nice restaurants around include Hotel de Bastard,  La Terrauboise, Racine

Popular festivals in the region include:

Discover the art of Falconry

Wings & Talons offers you a memorable opportunity to get up close, handle and fly birds of prey.

To encounter the ‘Sport of Kings’ and to promote conservation of wild birds, through educational talks and demonstrations.

Set in the foot hills of the Pyrenees Mountains, in Bazordan……15 mins away between Montrejeau and Castlenau Magnoac with a stunning natural backdrop of Pyrenees mountains and French farmlands, woodlands and hills. A walk through fields, flying the birds, is completely relaxing yet exhilarating.