Auch

Auch is the county town of Gers, in the heart of Gascony, roughly midway between Toulouse and the Pyrenees. The town is dominated by Sainte-Marie Cathedral, a Gothic and Renaissance building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, notable for its carved wooden choir stalls and Renaissance stained-glass windows. The famous monumental staircase, lined with the statue of d'Artagnan, links the lower town to the upper town and offers views over the Gers valley. The old quarter is best explored through its network of steep, narrow lanes known as pousterles, characteristic of Gascon architecture. Auch is also a destination for food lovers, renowned for foie gras, Armagnac brandy and garbure, local specialities widely available at the town's markets. It serves as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding bastide towns and villages of Gers, a peaceful rural region known for its rolling countryside and culinary heritage. The mild, temperate climate makes it pleasant to explore both the historic centre and the surrounding countryside on foot.