Auch is the capital of Gers (previously called Gascony) in the Midi-Pyrenees region and about 80 kilometres to the west of Toulouse.
Exploring Auch
Auch has an attractive medieval centre and it is the main square, the Place de la Republique, which is at the heart of the old town and the best place to start your visit.
Cathedrale Saint-Marie
The cathedral in Auch, called the Cathedral Saint-Marie, is on this square and 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 16/17th century towers in Renaissance style. Inside the cathedral you can see the hand-carved oak stalls and stained glass windows by Arnaud de Moles.
On one corner of the same square Auch Tourist Information Office is in one of the nicest buildings of the town, a half-timbered building resting on stone arcades that was built in the the 15th century.
Pick up the tourist guide for Auch from this tourist office: 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 tower is 40 metres high and was used as a prison in the 14th 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 and at the bottom of the staircase there is a bronze statue of d’Artagnan, one of the king’s musketeers, who was born 30 kilometres from Auch.
Other sights to see in Auch
There are several other sights of interest in the town, including a lovely stone and wood staircase in the inner courtyard of the Maison Henri IV where Henry allegedly stayed with Catherine de Medicis, and Auch Town Hall, built by Bursar d’Etigny, which 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.
The Jardin Ortholan and the Coulome Park also offer a chance to relax or take a picnic.
After visiting the historic centre of Auch, called the Pousterles Quartier, continue to the river where you can follow a four kilometre ‘discovery trail’, or you can enjoy the planted banks and relax.
Attractions nearby
This region of Gascony is visited by those wanting a chance to appreciate the quiet roads and the unspoiled countryside, and it is an excellent region for cycling...and relaxing away from the tourist crowds.
There are numerous small villages and hamlets nearby, many with ancient origins, that will typically only take an hour to explore but together make a pleasant excursion, such as Castelnau-Barbarens, Montégut with the Fairy Tower (Tour des Fées), Jegun to see the ancient centre of Biran and Pavie with its picturesque bridge.
Among the villages you will enjoy visiting in the region further afield are Lavardens and Sarrant.
You can find more travel ideas in the Gers guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Auch
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Hotels in Auch
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Map of Auch and places nearby
Visit near Auch with France This Way reviews
Lavardens
The castle and the church are among the places of interest in the small village of Lavardens
Lavardens guide
Fleurance
The central square with its arcades and traditional market hall are the highlight of a visit to Fleurance
Fleurance guide
Vic Fezensac
Vic Fezensac is enjoyable to explore at any time, but best known for the music festivals held here each summer
Vic Fezensac guide
Valence-sur-Baise
Explore the historic centre of the bastide town of Valence-sur-Baise, then visit the Abbaye de Flaran
Valence-sur-Baise guide
Sarrant
The ancient gateway and half-timbered houses bring a medieval feel to the village of Sarrant
Sarrant guide
Lectoure
Lectoure is a pleasant town to explore as part of your stay in the Gascony countryside
Lectoure guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gers
Address: Auch, Midi-Pyrenees, 32000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.646, longitude 0.5855
Plan your visit to Auch, Gers
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Auch cathédrale St Just (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site
- Ordan-Larroque: ville fleurie 4* (11 km)
- Lectoure: recommended detour (32 km)
- Blaziert: ville fleurie 4* (33 km)
- Gramont Chateau: national monument (35 km)
- La Romieu Collegiale St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (38 km)
- Jardin et arboretum de Coursiana: remarkable garden (38 km)
- Jardin de la poterie Hillen: remarkable garden (38 km)
- Beaumont sur l'Osee pont d'Artigues (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (39 km)
- Larressingle: most beautiful village (40 km)
- Palmeraie du Sarthou: remarkable garden (46 km)
- Montreal-du-Gers: most beautiful village (46 km)
Market days in Auch, France
Regular market(s) are held in Auch each Thursday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Auch (Francais)