GASCONY REGION
GASCONY REGION
Larriberau is situated in some of the very finest French countryside and is often favourably compared with the best of Tuscany. This part of Gascony, known as the Gers lies between the mighty River Garonne to the north and the Pyrenees to the south. The countryside is dotted with Bastides – fortified towns dating from the time of the Hundred Years War, reminding us that this part of France once belonged to England.
Auch, the capital of Gascony is some 12 miles away and it boasts shops to cover all your needs. And in the Department of the Gers, this part of Gascony, the area abounds with culture and history. There are also frequent local festivals and events including the world-famous Marciac jazz festival in August.
"Larriberau is situated in some of the very finest French countryside and is often
favourably compared with the best of Tuscany"
Larriberau is almost midway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean with excellent autoroute access. The Atlantic coast boasts the elegant towns of Biarritz and St-Jean-de-Luz. To the east is Toulouse (just over an hour away), which combines fine old architecture and a modern aerospace industry – an offshoot of which is the Space Visitors Centre. 45 minutes from Toulouse is the famed medieval city of Carcassone, a World Heritage Site. Within an hour to the south there is good skiing at a number of Pyreneean resorts, some of which are open until May. The Pyrenees provide wonderful scenery in the late Spring, Summer and Autumn. A visit to Lourdes, nestling in the Pyrenees, is also worth a visit.
The two nearest towns – Seissan and Mirande – have traditional weekly markets where the locals come in from the surrounding farms to bring in their wares. They also have good modern supermarkets
On the Bastide trail, Bassoues, Tillac and Montesquiou all have good restaurants. Slightly further afield are Larresingle, Fourcès, and Montreal. The latter was the first bastide to be fortified in Gascony in 1255. Fourcès built in a circle and then added to, circle upon circle, has a large flower festival in April. In Condom, about 50 minutes to the north, you can enjoy a boat trip along the calm River Baise.
And as well as good restaurants, this is also good wine country. Madiran, a strong dark red wine is receiving growing recognition for its quality. Other local wines include Cahors, Buzet and Jurancon. This is also famed Armagnac country.
