A weekend at a château in Gascony

2-DAY / 1-NIGHT STAY FROM TOULOUSE

Head to the Gers for a weekend at a château and a tour of the ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ in Gascony!

The châteaux of Gascony flourished particularly between the 11^th and 13th centuries, as local lordships gained their independence. During the same period, Gascony saw the development of ‘sauvetés’ and ‘castelnaux’ (such as Lavardens and Fourcès) and bastides (such as Montréal, the first bastide in the Gers, but also Fourcès, that castelnau… which has since become a bastide!).

Today, many of these châteaux have become private residences, sometimes open to the public as tourist accommodation or as tasting cellars for Armagnac and other Côtes de Gascogne wines.

Discover a selection of these châteaux between Toulouse and the bastide of Fourcès, a two-hour drive apart, for a cultural weekend in Gascony.

Day 1: Departure from Toulouse – Visit to Lavardens Castle and the village of Fourcès

In Toulouse, take your own car or hire one at the airport or in the city centre, then join the N124 towards Auch. After Auch, follow the signs for Condom, then Lavardens. After a 1½-hour drive, pull over and explore this village nestled against its castle (castelnau). From the outside, you can admire the majesty of the building overlooking the Gers countryside. A stronghold of the Counts of Armagnac in the ^12th century, Lavardens Castle was gradually abandoned following the Revolution and was saved from ruin in the 1960s. It is particularly characterised by the distinctive architecture of its buttressed towers.

A visit is a must, especially as there’s always an exhibition at the château! One of these highlights the art of santon figurines every year, with an exhibition and sale running from October to early January.

For lunch, there are two restaurants in the village to choose from.

Then continue on your way to Fourcès, your accommodation for the night (bonus tip: on the way, stop off at Flaran Abbey in Valence-sur-Baïse). There, in this curious circular bastide where a castle once stood at its centre, you’ll be staying in another castle – a more recent one (dating from the ^15th century) – which has been modernised to ensure visitors enjoy all the comforts of today. Maria and Olivier will give you a warm welcome fit for lords and ladies in their charming guesthouse.

Booking Château de Fourcès

In the evening, take a stroll around the village, along the River Auzoue or around the circular square lined with houses featuring the bastide’s characteristic arcades. Pop into one of the restaurants on the square, which generally serve excellent Gascon specialities! A glass of Floch or Côte de Gascogne, a small salad served with foie gras, duck confit, an apple croustade, and an Armagnac to round off the meal. Fortunately, you won’t need a car to get back to the château!

Day 2: Tour of Montréal and Larressingle – Return to Toulouse

Before continuing your trip to explore the castles and fortifications of the Gers, stop off at Montréal, the oldest bastide in the Gers, where you can have lunch in one of the restaurants on its arcaded square. Don’t forget to visit the tourist information centre, which offers a real invitation to experience the Gers through all your senses.

A few kilometres further on, you’ll arrive in Larressingle, the smallest fortified village in France. On the outskirts of the village, visit the medieval siege camp to learnt all about the weapons of the era and how they were used. This visit is child-friendly, and children can try on medieval costumes and chainmail…

It’s time to head home, or to extend your stay in Gascony with wine tastings at one of Armagnac’s many vineyards, a visit to the episcopal town of Condom, or the beautiful Romanesque abbey of La Romieu…