Termes-d'Armagnac Tower is a listed historic monument and a relic of the old Castle of Thibault de Termes, the companion of Joan of Arc. Dating from the 13th century, this 36-metre high keep contains within its walls a set of reconstructions of historical scenes and local traditions, an arms room and a slideshow on the Middle Ages.

From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view over the Adour Valley and the Pyrenees!

A small Landes town in the Tursan, between Gers and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Aire-sur-l'Adour has plenty of sights to see as you wander among its Historic Monuments and along the pleasant banks of the Adour.

Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as part of the Way of St James, the Church of St Quiteria, situated on the Mas hillside, is famous for its Gothic entrance and vast crypt. The latter is remarkable for holding the splendid, white marble sarcophagus of St Quiteria, dating from the 4th century!

Carry on exploring Aire-sur-l'Adour's heritage with a look at the octagonal, 19th-century corn exchange and the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, where there is wood panelling and an organ from the 18th century.

Then head for the banks of the Adour for a relaxing stroll or a picnic break by the waterside!

In the covered market on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, there is a food market every Tuesday and Saturday morning.

A famous musketeer of King Louis XIV, D'Artagnan (real name Charles de Batz-Castelmore) was born in Gascony around 1610, at Castelmore Castle near Lupiac. Immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in his great swashbuckling novel The Three Musketeers, this legendary hero is honoured at the Chapel of Our Lady in Lupiac, with an audio-visual exhibit dedicated to the illustrious Gascon.

The thermal spa of Barbotan-les-Thermes carries the green holiday resort label and is located in the district of Cazaubon. It is famous for its natural water and vegetal mineral mud, which are recognised for their benefits in treating rheumatic and phlebological complaints. The Thermal Baths, based in a beautiful establishment with architecture inspired by the old tobacco dryers of the South-West, offers spa and well-being treatments in addition to its medical cures.

Near the spa and the 12th-century Church of St. Peter lies a superb park full of exotic plant varieties, where lotuses, banana trees, palm trees and magnolias bloom. It's an ideal place for tourists to take a leisurely stroll. A walk in the park is a must in July in particular, when the ponds are adorned with superb pink lotus flowers!

Two kilometres south of Barbotan, Uby Lake covers 80 hectares and is sure to appeal to fans of water sports and relaxation, with its leisure centre and fine sandy beach.

On no account should you miss a visit to Labastide-d'Armagnac! This superb 13th -century fortified village, nestling in the heart of Lower Armagnac, will take you back in time...the Place Royale, in the centre of the village, is simply magnificent, with its typical old arcaded houses and impressive fortified bell tower. A completely charming place, where you will linger willingly...

The 17th -century former Protestant temple, built near the cemetery, is now a museum dedicated to fortified villages, as well as accommodating temporary exhibitions.

2 kilometres south of the village stands the little chapel of Our Lady of the Cyclists, which, with its old bicycles and many champions' vests, is a real sanctuary of cycling. Every Pentecost Monday, a mass is celebrated there in honour of cyclists.

Situated in the commune of Perquie, in Lower Armagnac, Ravignan Castle, built in 1663, is an elegant Louis XIII-style dwelling, surrounded by a beautiful French-style park. Inside this building, which is listed as a Historic Monument, ancient furniture and objects, 18th-century costumes, as well as an important collection of drawings and engravings showing Henry IV, are all pleasures to be discovered in the course of a guided tour.

As an Armagnac producer for more than three centuries, it is only natural that the Ravignan estate should organise guided tours of its cellars, with a commentary on the history and production of this famous eau-de-vie!

The delightful little Landes spa resort of Eugénie-les-Bains, once patronised by Empress Eugénie de Montijo, charms both those taking the waters and visitors needing rest and tranquillity. A slimming village made famous by the celebrated Michelin starred chef, Michel Guérard, Eugénie-les-Bains invites you to explore its attractions: a country park with a waterfall and rose garden, hot springs specialising in the treatment of metabolic and rheumatic disorders, a spa farm with its relaxation and well-being treatments, the Prés d'Eugénie Gardens, gourmet restaurants and cookery courses at the Michel Guérard Institute...

Founded in the late 13th century, the fortified town of Marciac, at the heart of Gascony, is famous for its festival, Jazz in Marciac, which has taken place every year Iin the first fortnight of August since 1978. This internationally famous festive and convivial event has welcomed prestigious artists such as Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Coleman, Michel Petrucciani, Oscar Peterson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves and Wynton Marsalis.

The Territories of Jazz audiovisual museum. located in the former Augustine convent opposite the charming Place du Chevalier d'Antras, is an original venue dedicated to the world of swing and the history of jazz, from its origins to the present day. A must-see for all music-lovers and fans of swing rhythms!

The tour of Marciac continues with the large covered central square – one of the biggest in the South-West! – and the 14th-century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Upon leaving the town, a 30-hectare lake with a leisure centre awaits fans of outdoor activities. Carp fishing, pedalo and electric boat trips, windsurfing, bathing in a fun pool and walks around the lake are among the leisure activities on offer there.

This old castle village, today listed among the most beautiful villages of France, is a charming fortified village in an unusual circular shape. In the shade of the plane trees, its round village square is ideal for a stroll and is surrounded by picturesque old arcade houses. Fourcès also has pretty side streets, a little square called Place des Cornières, a Clocktower, a 15th-century castle and a medieval bridge over the Auzoue.

Each year in the last weekend of April, a large and colourful flower market brightens up the central square in Fourcès.

Known as the Little Carcassonne of Gers, the village of Larressingle, listed as one of the most beautiful in the country, is the smallest fortified village in France!

Nestling amid the vines, at the heart of the famous Armagnac region, this former residence of the Bishops of Condom, of which a 13th-century castle keep still remains, is a remarkable example of medieval architecture. Surrounded by ramparts and trenches, many reminders of the past are tucked away in this adorable village.

Once visitors cross its little stone bridge and step through its fortified door, they are enchanted to discover a magnificently restored group of buildings. A series of crenellated towers and beautiful houses with elaborate façades, mullion windows and arched doors will delight lovers of old buildings. Next to the castle keep, the fortified Romanesque church with two naves contains some attractive contemporary stained glass windows.

The Pilgrim's Stop museum is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience everyday life in the Middle Ages. The place tells the story of the village during the Hundred Years' War through characters in period costume.

At the approach to the fortified town, don't miss the medieval siege camp and its war machines. From March to November it offers archery demonstrations as well as activities for children and adults!

A medieval tower overlooking the charming little fortified village of Bastides of Bassoues, the imposing 14th-century keep, a relic of the old castle of the Archbishop of Auch, is a remarkable example of military architecture. Built at the request of Archbishop Arnaud Aubert, this 43-metre high tower follows a quadrangular plan, and was completed in 1371. Its platform offers a magnificent view of the Gascon landscape and the Pyrenees mountain range. Inside visitiors will find a museum about the history of Gascon villages, as well as exhibitions of paintings and watercolours.

Picturesque half-timbered houses and an old 16th-century wooden market hall can be seen on a walk around the keep.

Located at the confluence of the Baïse and Auloue rivers in the district of Valence-sur-Baïse, the former Cistercian abbey of Flaran, which was founded in 1151 by the monks of Escaladieu Abbey and then underwent alteration work until the 18th century, now houses Gers' departmental cultural centre.

A visit to this remarkable group of buildings, which is listed as a Historic Monument, provides a chance to discover the Romanesque church, the gothic cloister, the chapterhouse and its marble colums, the prior's apartment, the monks' refectory, the kitchen and the charming garden of aromatic and medicinal plants. You can learn more about the area at the two permanent exhibitions, one on the Way of St. James in Gers and the other on the history of the abbey.

A wide range of activities and cultural events are on offer all year round.

The village of Poudenas nestles in the Gélise valley in the heart of the Pays d'Albret region overlooked by its elegant château. Built in the 13th century then remodelled into an Italian palace in the 17th century, the Château de Poudenas boasts a beautiful 10-hectare park planted with around 100 different tree species.

Continue your tour of the village down at the river's edge – a particularly picturesque spot with an old post house fronted by a wooden gallery, a typical old bridge and a restored mill.

The Landes capital, Mont-de-Marsan, town of three rivers, has a favoured geographical position on the border of the Landes forest and mid-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees.

This sculpture hotspot will delight lovers of modern and contemporary art in particular, with its remarkable Despiau-Wlérick Museum, devoted to 20th century figurative sculpture, and its Mont de Marsan Sculptures festival which takes place every three years. Established in the ancient Romanesque chapel and the impressive Lacataye medieval keep, the museum is organised around the work of two local sculptors, Charles Despiau and Robert Wlérick, as well as pieces by about a hundred artists from the beginning of the 20th century. The Despiau-Wlérick Museum also has a garden of sculpture on the banks of the Midou, a library, and a beautiful panoramic view of the town and its surrounding countryside, from the terrace of the Lacataye tower.

Those who like walking can stroll to their hearts' content strolling in the delightful Jean-Rameau Park, which stretches along a loop in the River Douze. This is a verdant six-hectare setting where you can discover remarkable plants, sculptures by Charles Despiau, a bandstand, a children's play area, as well as a Japanese garden, ferns, hydrangeas and grasses.

In the third week of July, during the Madeleine Festival, Mont-de-Marsan is abuzz with musical entertainment, courses landaises (blood-free cow fighting), parades and a funfair. A great atmosphere is guaranteed!

The capital of Armagnac, a former episcopal town and sub-prefecture, is the welcoming small town of Condom. Located at the heart of Gascony on the banks of the River Baïse, it offers visitors a rich built heritage. This includes elegant 18th century private mansions such as those of Polignac and Cugnac, the old Cathedral of St. Peter from the 16th century, and a superb cloister in the flamboyant gothic style.

Lovers of the famous wine brandy should make sure they pay a visit fo the Armagnac Museum. Based in the outbuildings of the former episcopal palace, it tells the story of the various stages of the Armagnac production cycle through its collection of wine-producing utensils. In a similar vein, the House of Ryst-Dupeyron, located in the Hotel de Cugnac, offers a slideshow about Armagnac and a tour of its hundred-year-old cellars.

Located 11 kilometres from Marciac, the little village of Tillac is worth a trip for its charming main street, which is lined with a series of pretty old houses with arcades and timber frames. A visit to this picturesque castle village on a plain will also provide a chance to discover its two medieval towers and its Church of St. James the Major.

In the heart of Tursan, in the commune of Samadet, at 2378 Route d'Hagetmau, the Departmental Museum of Earthenware and Tableware has three permanent exhibition rooms telling the story of Samadet's former royal factory - operating from 1732 to 1840 –and its earthenware production, the processes involved in making and decorating the earthenware, as well as the world of tableware and French gastronomy from the Middle Ages to modern times. In the room dedicated to Samadet earthenware, 300 variously-decorated pieces are on show, organised chronologically and thematically!

The House of Contemporary Ceramics, situated in Tursan's Cultural Centre, has a permanent collection relating to tableware, as well as its temporary exhibitions.

The former military capital of the Counts of Armagnac, the imposing Lavardens Castle is surrounded by a picturesque village and proudly towers over the Gascon countryside. Built in the 12th century and then rebuilt in the 17th century by Antoine de Roquelaure, a companion of Henry IV, this beautiful building and listed Historic Monument is open to visitors from mid-February to mid-January, and regularly hosts art exhibitions. Inside, be sure to admire the splendid ornamental brick and stone tiling decorated with geometric patterns!

The charming medieval village nestling beside the castle is worth a look, with its pretty side streets and rampart ruins.

Classed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site as part of the Way of St James, Saint-Sever Abbey-Church, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, is renowned for its rich, sculpted décor and its choir with six staggered apse chapels. The 77 Romanesque capitals, five marble columns, and three re-used Gallo-Roman capitals are all marvels for which this historic monument is renowned. Take a moment to admire the sculptures on its polychromatic marble capitals, before strolling for a while in the delightful cloister garden of the former Benedictine abbey. Then you can discover the treasure stored in the chapter house, with its exhibition of liturgical objects and vestments from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Monday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM

The fortified town of Mirande, known for its famous country music festival which takes place every year in July, is also known for its Museum of Fine Arts and Decorative Arts. This museum stands on Rue de l'Évêché and contains a rich collection of Italian, Flemish and French paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries along with a fine set of antique ceramics.

After visiting the museum, it's time to discover Mirande town centre. The town square, Place d'Astarac, features a kiosk and is surrounded by arcade houses. There is also the Church of St. Mary, an old 15th-century cathedral in the southern European gothic style, with superb flying buttresses spanning Rue de l'Évêché.