Family Holiday in France

Taking its name from the river that runs through this department the Gers is situated in the heart of Gascony, delightfully free from traffic and mass tourism. Imagine spending your family holiday in France surrounded by lush rolling countryside, vineyards, golden wheat, sunflower fields, maize, garlic, the famous Agen Prune orchards and quaint historical hilltop villages.  The Gers is a haven for nature lovers with plenty of walking and cycling routes and lakes for swimming and fishing.

Self catering in France is the idea of heaven for most people and the gîte is conveniently situated just 1 mile from the town of Lectoure. It sits in the beautiful valley of the Gers with views over the town.  There's much to see and do here, whether you want a relaxing holiday or trying something a little more adventurous. At the gite you’ll discover a useful information book with suggestions and leaflets for days out, recommended local restaurants and interesting places to visit.

You'll really get the most from the authentic street markets when you’re self catering in France. Finding all the products which make the Gers so gastronomically renowned is both fun and rewarding. Foie gras, local cheese and tasty honey, Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne, and an abundance of delicious seasonal fruit and vegetables are all on display waiting for you to taste!

 
MARKET DAYS
You can always find a street market nearby. These are a few of our favourites:

 

• Monday: Mauvezin, Mirande, Aignan, Samatan
• Tuesday: Fleurance,Auch, Masseube
• Wednesday: Condom, Nogaro, Gimont, Marciac
• Thursday: St Clar, Auch, Eauze,
• Friday: Lectoure, Vic-Fezensac, Seissan
• Saturday: Fleurance, Samatan, Auch, L’Isle Jourdain,
• Sunday: Condom, Bassoues, Montaut-les-Creneaux, Caster-Verduzan
• Toulouse has several daily markets and Sunday flea markets .

Additional markets take place at night in the summer months and also in the lead up to Christmas. Check La Vieille Source's Blog for these and other events.

EATING & DRINKING
Self catering in France gives you the power of choice at mealtimes. There’s a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros catering for all tastes, occasions and budgets. 

SWIMMING POOLS & LEISURE LAKES
At the gite you can make use of the lovely heated pool with its large sun terrace with plenty of loungers and parasols. Perhaps you’d like to try the beautiful municipal pool in Lectoure with its panaromic view towards the Pyrenees. The Gers has many inland lakes with excellent leisure facilities, the nearest just 10 minutes from the gite is at St Clar. Set in 17 hectares of rolling countryside surrounding a 5 hectare lake with water slides, aqua sports, sandy beach and picnic area. Or perhaps you’d like to try Castera Verduzan with its 7 hectare lake, canoe-kayak, windsurfing, sailing, pedalos, dinghies, tennis, surf-bike, archery and volleyball.

THEME PARK
No family holiday in France would be complete without a trip to Parc Walibi Aquitaine for a full days entertainment for all ages, with special events and shows in the summer. This is a fantastic family day out and is only 30 minutes away at Agen. Follow this link for further information on Child Friendly days out.

CYCLING
The Gers is ideal cycling country with many places being easily accessible by bicycle. Bike hire is available in Lectoure at the hire shop just 5 minutes away. They have a good selection of bikes and also hire out baby cycle seats.

WALKING  
If you like walking then Lectoure offers you more than 200kms of marked pedestrian paths and  this department has hundreds of signposted routes for hikers to discover.

THERMAL SPAS
Only 1 mile away in Lectoure is the beautifully restored 18th century Goulard hotel,  now a renowned thermal spa and treatment centre.  Relax in the hot mineral-rich waters of the hydrotherapy pools or indulge in one of the many beauty treatments.  You can also find thermal spas in the towns of Castera-Verduzan and Barbotan des Thermes.

GOLF
At Fleurance is a lovely 9 hole course, it’s quite challenging. The hilly 18 hole course at Auch has a superb restaurant. In Masseube you’ll find a 9 hole course. There’s a beautiful wooded 18 hole course , Golf de Guinlet at Eauze, which is one of the best in the area, with many other facilities including a fantastic restaurant and outdoor pool. Further afield is Mont de Marsan, another fabulous course. Golf de Pallanne is an 18 hole course set in rolling countryside with the Pyrenees as a backdrop.

TENNIS
Courts are available at Lectoure, St Clar, Condom, Gondrin, Eauze, Valence and Castera Verduzan.  

FISHING
With over 40 rivers to discover you’ll be spoilt for choice. The majority are category 2 fishing with carnivorous species including pike and perch. There’s also a couple of category 1 salmon rivers.

HORSE RIDING
The pony club at Pauilhac is perfect for younger children and enthusiastic beginners and we are happy to arrange lessons. There are other stables around the area including Les Écuries D'Armangac near Valance-sur-Baïse who offer riding lessons or hacks with an English guide, trips into the mountains, gastronomic excursions and much more. See our equestrian information on our downloads page.

SKIING
Resorts in the Pyrenees are within 2 hours drive.

SURFING
World class surf breaks within 2 hours drive at Biarritz and Hossegor.

CANOEING & KAYAKING
At Beaucaire on the river Baïse you can take an escorted trip down to Valance and be returned by minibus. There are canoe/kayak clubs in Condom and Mirande. For an excellent family day out we can recommend kayaking through the Aveyron gorges from St Antonin. Take a picnic with you and stop off during your trip for a swim.

BOAT TRIPS
These run from Nerac and Condom on the river Baise with daily excursions. Or why not take a trip at Montech. You can dine aboard a canal boat and experience one of the world’s most fascinating lock systems. The water around your boat is pulled uphill by two old SNCF trains!

WINE TASTING
Many of the local wine producers welcome visitors. You can take a tour for a sample tasting of their products. Recommended domaines in this region are Domaine D’Arton (Lectoure) Domaine de Miraille (Lectoure) Les Acacias (Bezolles), D'Entras ( Castera Verduzan), Millet (Eauze), De Bile (Bassoues), D'Embouderiere (Rejaumont) and Plaimont (Plaisance). Sample great wines from some of the best known local wine-growing areas (Monluc, Buzet, Tariquet, Madiran and St Mont).

CATHEDRALS MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
Lectoure boats a maginifcent 14 century cathedral which features as an important stopping point along the famous St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrims route. There are also cathedrals to visit at Auch, Condom and Agen and a fabulous collegiale at La Romieu. Most of the local towns and villages have churches to visit. Further afield you’ll find a cathedral at Toulouse or perhaps take a spiritual trip to Lourdes.

ANTIQUES BROCANTES & VIDE GRENIERS
There are plenty of antique shops and brocantes to explore in and around the main towns. Vide Greniers (local boot fairs) are held from May to November in the surrounding towns and villages, please see our gite diary for details.

ABBAYE DE FLARAN
Flaran is famous within France for its architecture and besides visiting the Abbey itself you might want to view one of the many art exhibitions that are often held there.

HORSE RACING
At Fleurance in March, August and September. Also at Auch and Castera-Verduzan for a great day out.

JAZZ AT MARCIAC
During August you’ll find the world famous international Jazz festival, with many leading acclaimed artists. Oscar Peterson and Winton Marsalis appear regularly.

MOTOR RACING AT NOGARO
There are several meetings at the Paul Armagnac circuit every season. The Formula 3 events at Easter and in September are the highlights.

CINEMAS
Lectoure has a small two screen cinema, and there are plenty of other cinemas in the Gers. We can advise you on what’s showing locally.

DAY TRIPS

The Gers and surrounding regions have plenty of culture and history.  The gite is also ideally placed for trips to discover the charms of Carcassonne, the spiritualism of Lourdes and the buzzing cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse. Also within easy reach for a day trip to the west coast is the seaside resort of Biarritz, with its historical port and town centre, miles of beaches and great surfing. Heading east for 2½ hours you’ll find yourself on the beautiful sandy beaches of Narbonne plage with the Mediterranean sea lapping at your feet.

For a memorable family holiday in France then La Vieille Source is the perfect choice.