Why the Gers? Taking its name from the river that runs through it, the Gers is an area of natural beauty known as French Tuscany. It has a huge and diverse array of assets, some immediately obvious (rolling hills, vineyards, sunflowers, great climate, Pyrenees views), and others more subtle (welcoming locals, hearty food, Gascon culture and traditions). It is an authentic area, un-spoilt by mass consumerism, traffic, and pollution …
Good transport links: The department is rural but easily accessible, which is a real asset for those looking to relocate to France, those searching for a 2nd home and buy-to-let investors alike. Just over 2 hours from the French coast, North Spain, and the Pyrenees, your rural dream is also just 1.5 hour flight from London thanks to the international airport at Toulouse. The Gers spans a huge area, and depending on where you are based, there are also airports at Bordeaux, Pau, Tarbes, Agen and Auch.
Breathtaking landscapes, and great climate equals a quality lifestyle: No stress, no noise, just a simple life in a wonderful climate with plenty of ‘joie de vivre’. The stunning landscapes change with the seasons and with the rotating crops, and there is very special light which attracts many artists to the region – unlike the UK it is almost never grey!
You will encounter a real sense of community and tradition, the many local markets, soirees and fetes show off the local warmth and energy, and the respect for visitors and inhabitants alike and provide a great opportunity to socialise and integrate into these close knit rural communities. A fantastic environment in which to raise your family, or to spend your retirement years.
They say that the Gascons live longer than any other people in France!
Healthy living: The Gers is certainly the healthy option, we have some of the cleanest air in Europe and the Midi Pyrenees is one of the sunniest regions in France. The warm summers and mild winters create the rich and fertile soils which have elevated its produce to the top of the French culinary table.
It is an ideal place to relax, and make the most of nature, perfect if you are fond of walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing, golf, climbing, hiking, horse-riding, boat trips, rugby, tennis and even flying! The many rivers and lakes with golden beaches give the opportunity to swim and also to practice watersports and fishing.
There are many hiking pathways, the most renowned one being the Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle. After the remains of St James were revealed in north-west Spain in the 9th century, there has been a constant flow of pilgrims from all over Europe visiting the tomb.
In all seasons the Pyrenees, just a couple of hours away, have something to offer from boarding and skiing, to mountain-biking, riding the spring rapids in a canoe, and trekking.
The Paul Armagnac motorsport race track in Nogaro attracts visitors from France and Worldwide.
Significant historical, architectural and cultural heritage: The verdant rolling countryside is all around, with magnificent views of the snow topped Pyrenees in the distance, and glimpses of ancient chateaux, fortified hilltop villages, churches, abbeys, statues and historic monuments scattered across the department that bear witness to a millennium of living. The Gers has the highest number of chateaux in any French department!
The internationally renowned Marciac jazz festival and Vic Fezenzac’s Tempo Latino & Mirande’s festival of country music encourage visitors from far and wide. Art exhibitions are numerous in the many historic monuments.
The section of the Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle through the Gers between Lectoure and Condom has been cited as of particular historical and cultural interest by UNESCO. Also not be missed are Auch cathedral, with its unique stained glass windows and intricately carved stalls, the monastery at La Romieu, and the Artigue bridge, built specifically for the pilgrimage.
Gourmet food: First and foremost the Gers is an agricultural area where the local traditional gastronomy and specialties are highly regarded, the most renowned treasures being Foie Gras, Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne.
Cooking and eating in Gascony is a genuine art with local produce available in the traditional morning markets, which can be found in at least 3 different towns and villages on every day of the week, and which offer seasonal fresh fruit & vegetables (including the famous Agen prunes and St Clar garlic), cooked hams and spit-roasted chickens, saucisson, foie gras, pâtês and prepared duck dishes, bread, nuts, olives and dried fruit, wines, and Armagnac. There are also plenty of specialist markets and fairs.
The cuisine (despite the high levels of goose fat!) is widely recognised as contributing to the long life expectancy among Gersois.
Persuaded? Come and discover the Gers for yourself, there is a multitude of villages, each with their own particularities: From Auch the historical capital of Gascony and the home of the 4th Muscateer d’Artagnan; to Lectoure, Castera Verduzan and Barbotan les Thermes renowned for their thermal bath resorts; Condom & Eauze famous for their vineyards and Armagnac; the traditional bastide villages of Mirande, Fleurance, Marciac and St Clar to name just a few; and Vic Fesensac and Nogaro with their strong Gascon culture, festival and ferias.
There are many architectural styles to choose from; from the stone Maison de Maîtres, Gascon style houses and farmhouses, to the half-timbered colombage L shaped farm houses, and those constructed from mud brick, river stone and pebbles.
The Bastide settlements are a legacy of the Middle Ages. Almost a third of Gers’s towns and villages can trace their history to these thirteenth/fourteenth century towns built on defensive sites behind strong walls with a grid of streets around an arcaded square. You will find honey-coloured houses, large churches, fine covered markets and interesting pigeonniers and wash houses.
The local property market prices peaked in 2006-2007 and have now returned to the more reasonable prices of 10 years ago. The enviable white stone properties in northern Gers, remain highly sought after due to la notoriété and le prestige of the Armagnac areas. Property in eastern Gers continues to be popular due to the proximity of Toulouse. In the south-western Gers the jazz festival attracts people to Marciac.
The Gers really is the perfect destination for retirement and permanent residency, as a holiday home, or as an investment for the future. Come and find your own little piece of heaven, but act now while the prices are at their most competitive!
Sarah Lancashire works for www.selectionhabitat.com