About Southern Gascony
One of France's most peaceful and unspoilt regions, Southern Gascony offers a relaxed pace of life, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. It lies to the west of Toulouse, its lush, rolling farmland stretching from the Gers into the Hautes-Pyrénées and Bigorre.
The region is rich in natural beauty and offers many historical and culinary attractions. Here is a taste of some of the things to see and do in the area. At the cottage you'll also find a special file packed with information on local activities and events, theatre and jazz festivals and places of interest. We regularly update our list of recommended bistros, restaurants and traditional fermes auberges.
Golf
The South West of France has a long tradition of golf playing, the magnificent Pau-Billère course being the oldest club in continental Europe, created for and by the British Army in 1856. There are about 28 golf courses in the area.
The local championship courses within 1 hour's drive – some of them full of history as well as challenge – are: Bagnères-de-Bigorre (beautiful views); Pau; Tarbes; Lannemezan; Lourdes; Masseube; and Château de Palanne, Tillac. Most of these are 18-hole courses.
Golf towns a little further away: Auch, Bayonne, Biarritz, Bidart, Eauze, Eugènie-les-Bains, Fleurance; Mont de Marsan; St. Jean de Luz.
The greens and fairways are permanently green, the soil base of varying mixtures of rock, blue clay and sand all retain and trap the moisture throughout the year (unlike the regions of Provence and southern Spain which can be dry and arid), and most of the courses here are adjacent to the large rivers which flow through the departments. Many courses have electric buggies, club houses and putting greens. All are playable 52 weeks a year because of the mild climate, though after heavy rain they can get a bit muddy. There are courses for beginners, courses for long handicappers and challenging courses for the experienced golfer. Green fees have become reasonable in recent years. Most courses charge more at weekends and during the tourist season (July – Aug.).
Local Events – Music Festivals
It's just a short drive to Marciac for the popular international jazz festival "Jazz in Marciac" in August when the arcades and main square of this historic market town come alive with restaurants, colourful stalls and music.
See the Tour de France in July. It's a regular visitor to the area. And you'll see cyclists everywhere.
Visit some of the famous summer festivals:
- Country Music in Mirande
- Street theatre/mime in Bagnères-de-Bigorre
- ''Nuits Musicales'' and the July antiques fair in Trie
- ''Grande Pourcailhade'' or Pig Festival and five-day local fair in Trie in early August
- ''Piano aux Pyrenees'' festival in Bagnères, Barèges, Cauterets, Escaladieu etc
- ''Festival du Comminges'' (classical music) in St. Bertrand
Mountains – Activities
The Pyrenees - great for summer walking or winter skiing - are just under an hour's drive away. Go hiking or cycling, explore hills, valleys and mountain peaks. Visit the Route des Cols or Tourmalet, the largest ski domain in the French Pyrenees, offering 125 km of runs, the resorts of Barèges (a mountain village at 1250 m) and La Mongie (a purpose-built resort at 2500 m).
Take the cable car from La Mongie to the top of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2877m), site of the famous observatory. Stay overnight to see the stars and a spectacular view of the mountains at sunrise.
Spa Centres – Historic Sites
Relax in thermal springs at Capvern-les-Bains; enjoy the springs, saunas and open-air solarium at Bagneres-de-Bigorre's thermal centre Aquensis. Visit ancient castles, abbeys and cathedrals (Lavardens, Mauvezin; Escaladieu, St. Sever de Rustaing, Flaran; St. Christaud, St. Bertrand de Comminges), bastide villages on the 'route des bastides et des castelnaux' - or historic sites like Montmaurin (Roman ruins), Tillac and the beautiful towns of Pau and Auch.
Wildlife – Watersports
Visit the nearby bird sanctuary at Puydarrieux.
See wildlife in the Pyrenean National Park.
Go swimming or boating on one of the inland lakes at Mielan (c.26 km), Lourdes (c.38 km), Marciac (c.45 km) or Lac de la Gimonne (c.30km).
Water-sports centres: Boulogne-sur-Gesse (c.35 km) and St. Pe de Bigorre (c.48 km).
Wine-tasting – Local Cuisine – Shopping
Go wine-tasting in the wine regions of Madiran and Jurançon, enjoy a Soirée musicale or Fête des Vendanges. Visit potteries (Tournay), night markets (July/August) or sample local Gascon and Spanish cuisine (Spain is just over the border). Visit elegant cities like Toulouse, Auch and Pau. Daily farmers' markets offer fresh local produce and there's a wide range of local supermarkets and hypermarkets (20 mins).
Visit these websites for more information :
Brumont, Jurancon, Pyrenees Tourism, Pau-Pyrenees and Toulouse Tourism.
The Atlantic Coast and Spain
The Atlantic is about 90 mins. away. Enjoy a day out at Biarritz or browse street cafes and boats in St. Jean de Luz, go surfing at Guéthary (not for beginners!) or laze on a sandy beach in one of the tiny bays on the Côte Basque just north of the Spanish border. Try tapas in San Sebastian or visit the Chillida-Leku-Museum.
For more driving times and distances, see our Travel page.
