The heritage of the Gers: from bastides to abbeys and listed villages
Bastides, fortified villages, Cistercian abbeys and collegiate churches along the Way of St James: the Gers is home to six of the «Most Beautiful Villages in France» and boasts a remarkable heritage, about an hour’s drive from the Château d’Izaute.
The Most Beautiful Villages of France in the Gers
- Larressingle, nicknamed the «little Carcassonne of the Gers», a fortified village surrounded by ramparts.
- Fourcès, the only circular bastide in the Gers, with its shaded circular square.
- Montréal-du-Gers, a bastide founded in the 13th century, near the Gallo-Roman villa at Séviac and its mosaics.
- La Romieu and its collegiate church, a major stop on the Way of St James.
- Lavardens and its castle perched high above the countryside.
- Sarrant, a small medieval town with a circular layout.
Abbeys, cathedrals and Gallo-Roman treasures
Flaran Abbey, in Valence-sur-Baïse, is one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in the South-West. Today, it hosts exhibitions and art collections.
St Mary’s Cathedral in Auch, a masterpiece of the Flamboyant Gothic style, is famous for its carved choir stalls and Renaissance stained-glass windows. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, as is the collegiate church of La Romieu.
Eauze, the capital of Armagnac, preserves the remains of ancient Elusa: the Musée du Trésor d’Eauze displays a hoard of nearly 28,000 Roman artefacts discovered in 1985, whilst the Domus de Cieutat brings a lavish Gallo-Roman residence back to life.
Very close to the castle: Nogaro
Just a few minutes’ drive from the estate, Nogaro is home to a Romanesque church, the Collegiate Church of Saint Nicholas, which is a stop on the Way of St James.
The Château d’Izaute, a residence steeped in history
Built during the Napoleonic era, our Izaute Castle is itself part of the Gers’ cultural heritage. Its park with its centuries-old trees, its French-inspired garden and its views of the Pyrenees make it an ideal place to stay whilst exploring the Gers.
Our charming guest rooms welcome couples; our charming holiday cottages families and groups. On request, we can organise cultural and sightseeing tours.
FAQ
Which of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’ are in the Gers?
The Gers has six villages with this designation: Larressingle, Fourcès, Montréal-du-Gers, La Romieu, Lavardens and Sarrant.
Which monuments are worth visiting in the Gers?
Flaran Abbey, the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie in Auch, the collegiate church of La Romieu, the Gallo-Roman villa at Séviac and the Musée du Trésor in Eauze are among the most remarkable.
Does the Gers have any UNESCO-listed monuments?
Yes, Auch Cathedral and the collegiate church of La Romieu are listed as World Heritage Sites as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Where should you stay when visiting the heritage sites of the Gers?
The Château d’Izaute, in Caupenne-d’Armagnac, offers charming guest rooms and holiday cottages in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac region, about an hour’s drive from the main attractions.