Auch

Visit Auch, Midi-Pyrenees

Auch is the capital of Gers (previously called Gascony) in the Midi Pyrenees region and lies about 80km west of Toulouse. It has an attractive medieval centre.

Cathedrale Saint-Marie

The main square, the Place de la Rebublique is at the heart of the old town in Auch. Its cathedral, Cathedrale Saint-Marie has recently been nominated a UNESCO site as part of the ‘Worldwide Cultural Heritage on the roads to Compostella’. It is an attractive cathedral which was begun in 1489 and completed two centuries later.

It has a classical façade with two 16/17^th century towers in Renaissance style. Inside there are hand-carved oak stalls and stained glass windows by Arnaud de Moles.

On one corner of the square is the Tourist Information Office in one of the nicest buildings of the town. The building is 15^th century. Pick up the guide for Auch from the office and there are two walks you can do in order to see the main sites. The ‘red route’ is a 45 minute walk in the medieval centre and the green guide is a 45 minute walk encompassing other sites in the town. The guides are available in English.

Tour d’Armagnac

After looking at the cathedral in the centre of Auch wander round to the Place Salinis and see the Tour d’Armagnac. This is 40metres high and was a prison in the 14^th century. Each of the seven upper floors in the tower was a prison cell.

Escalier Monumental

From here the Escalier monumental (Great Staircase) leads down to the lower part of Auch. The Staircase is 35 metres high and has 234 steps. From the top there is a good view over the Gers valley with the Pyrenees in the distance. At the bottom there is a bronze statue of d’Artagnan, one of the king’s musketeers, who was born 30km from Auch.

Other sights to see in Auch

There is a lovely stone and wooden staircase in the inner courtyard of the Maison Henri IV where Henry allegedly stayed with Catherine de Medicis.

Auch Town Hall, built by Bursar d’Etigny, houses a lovely Italian-style theatre.

The Musee des Jacobins is housed in a former Dominican Convent built in 1386. Inside is a collection of pre-Columbian art (one of the best in France) and artefacts from the Gascon culture.

After visiting Auch itself head to the river where there is a 4km ‘discovery trail’ or you can enjoy the planted banks and relax.

The Jardin Ortholan and the Coulome Park also offer a chance to relax or take a picnic.

Photos of Auch (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Auch: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Auch, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Gramont Chateau 35km; Condom 39km; Larressingle 40km; Montreal-du-Gers 46km; Montmaurin Gallo-Roman Villa 47km; Fources 48km; Maubourguet 48km; Villeneuve de Mezin 49km; Mezin 53km; Auvillar 53km; Poudenas 54km; Nerac 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Auch

Auch tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Ordan-Larroque - ville fleurie 4* (11km) : Blaziert - ville fleurie 4* (33km) : Jardin de la poterie Hillen - remarkable garden (38km) : Jardin et arboretum de Coursiana - remarkable garden (38km) : Palmeraie du Sarthou - remarkable garden (46km) : Jardin et parc du château de Larra - remarkable garden (53km) : Eglise de Sainte Marie (Aubiac) - religious monument (55km) : Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax) - religious monument (55km) :

French version: see Auch (Francais)