A fascinating region Sublime !
To be quite honest with you it is impossible to do justice to this beautiful region on one stay ! Lovers of nature, sportspeople, pilgrims, enthusiasts of art and history, and of course lovers of good food : you will find your pleasure here
Hiking,off-road cycling or pilgrimage ( the way of St james of Compostella) on tracks weaving across a natural and preserved. The « Grands sites occitanie »are a witness to an amazingly rich architecture and history (Marciac, Auch city of d’Artagnan, Lupiac, Forcés,Bassoues..).Also natural sights such as the Grottes de Betharram. Our region is also one of sumptious food (confit de canard, foie gras, fruit and vegetables ripend in the sun) and exceptional wines (Armagnac, cote de Gascogne..) !
Come and see us !
Marciac
Marciac is a cute little town, founded in 1298, with a large square where there is a market every Wednesday. To allow you to discover the bastide of Marciac and its treasures, a small guide for pedestrians is at your disposal.
In the surroundings there are several bastides, ideal destinations for little visits and good meals.
Jû-Belloc
Jû-belloc village and the reserve « La maison d’eau « (watermill). This site of nearly 250 acres, has a marked footpath along the banks of the river Adour, which is suitable foradults and children. Open all year and free , this circuit has information points and observation sites. You will discover that this remarkable area, (alluvial forest, ancient quarry..) is inhabited by rare species : types of turtles, otters, more than 100 types of birds and divers plants
The Pyrenee mountains
The Pyrenees mountains are just 40 miles to the south - breath-taking scenery and fantastic walks in the pure air. The Pic de Midi de Bigorre which is one of the most majestic summits of the range with a height of over 9400 ft. Accessible by for everybody by cable car, it is renowned for its beauty and its famous astronomique observatory
Saint Mont
In cultivating the local vines , Saint Mont now has some of the most beautiful chateaux and domains of the region.At the cellar of Saint Mont you can visit the storerooms, the installation and bottling plant, with a wine tasting.
In the heart of the Saint Mont label is a unique field of half an acre, which is named as a Historic site, , which brings together many unique characteristics. A witness to wine making of yesteryear, this site has an amazing biodiversity, with nearly 20 different local vines, 7 are still to be identified!!
Lourdes
There are over 6 million visitors every year from around the world .Discover the city of Lourdes, its sanctuary of Notre Dames , its castle ,and its funicular to Pic du Jer. Just 3km from the city centre is the lake of Lourdes, of over 100 acres, to rest, just enjoy the scenery , or do some kayaking.
Auch
In the centre of the Gers, this Gascoyne capital dominates the surrounding valleys, There are 370 steps connecting the top and bottom of the town, the Monumental Staircase of Auch is decorated with the statue of D’Artagnan. Right next to the monumental staircase are the “Insolites Pousterles”. These narrow, stepped alleyways winding down the slope were formerly used by residents to fetch water from the river.
Towering above the town, you cannot help but admire the majestic collection of buildings consisting of the Tour d’Armagnac (Tower of Armagnac), the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie and the Prefecture (former archiepiscopal palace). The cathedral is listed on the World Heritage register
Termes d’armagnac
The tower is one of the most magnificent examples of Gascony military history of the 13th century .. The tower of over 100ft is classed as an historic monument and is the only remaining part of the castle built by Thibault de Termes, companion pf Jean of Arc. You can visit the medieval armoury and historic rooms showing life in medieval times, and the illustrious gascons!
Lupiac
This charming village , a “castelnau” , (small fortified castle,) perched 800 feet on a hillside, is the birthplace of the most famous musketeer, Charles de Batz de Castelmore, known as d’Artagnan. On the square of Lupiac is a magnificent statue of d’Artagnan on horseback, Just on the outskirts of the village is a superb lake , where you can swim
Bassoues
This bastide (fortified town) was founded by the archbishops of Auch Its tower was built in 1369 by Arnaud Aubert cardinal of Auch. There is also the church of Saint Mary from the 15th century and its unusual wooden hall. On the edge of the bastide is the basilica of Saint Fris, built in honour local hero Fris, killed in combat against the Arabs in the 8th century.
A few miles out of town is Domaine de Bilé The family Della-Vedove offers you a visit of their cellars and a tasting of the cote de gascogne wine , floc and armagnac
All that Jazz
Every year in the first two weeks of August Marciac hosts a major international jazz festival. (Jazz in Marciac)
World famous names such as Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Wynton Marsalis perform just 1km from our campsite and there is a vibrant festival off (free concerts) in the town square and around the lake –- a jazz fan's paradise ! At the campsite we welcome hundreds of jazz fans from France and all of Europe.