Fleurance is north of Auch in the rolling countryside of the Gers department (often referred to as Gascony) of the Midi-Pyrenees region of south-west France. It is an attractive small town and makes a good base for exploring the region.
It is said that the town was named after the Italian city of Florence, to represent the important hopes the founders had for the future of Fleurance.
Founded in 1274, Fleurance is one of several French Gascon bastide towns in the region and follows the typical bastide town layout of these towns - based on a grid of streets around a large open square with a market hall in the centre.
Explore Fleurance
Your visit to Fleurance will start in the central square, with the arcaded buildings around the edges of the square reflected in the design of the substantial market hall.
Although the original market hall was supported by wooden pillars the current hall is a replacement built in the 19th century and is supported on stone arches.
On each corner of the market hall in Fleurance you will notice a statue representing one of the four seasons, also added in the 19th century.
You can also see the town hall here in the square, which is also a 19th century replacement of a medieval original, which had been destroyed by a fire.
Around the edges of the square the attractive arcades (sheltered passageways entered through arches) contain a selection of shops, restaurants and bars.
Also typical of a bastide town, in a smaller square connected to the central square in Fleurance you can see the large gothic style Church of Saint Laurent, built over an extended period from 1280 - 1406 and with an unusual belltower that is square at the lower level then octagonal and containing arches in the upper part.
Inside the church in the choir section there are some particularly good stained-glass windows by Arnaud de Môles (1470 - 1520), and a statue of the Virgin which has been said to have miraculous healing powers.
The region around Fleurance
Predominantly a quiet region of sunflowers, small woodlands and small scale agriculture, there are several picturesque market towns and villages to discover nearby.
Among others be sure to visit the market town of Auch to the south, as well as the cluster of villages to the west of Fleurance that includes Fources, Larressingle and Montréal-du-Gers - they are close to each other and all three are listed among the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
You can find more travel ideas in the Gers guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Fleurance
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Fleurance
Hotels in Fleurance
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Fleurance and places nearby
Visit near Fleurance with France This Way reviews
Lectoure
Lectoure is a pleasant town to explore as part of your stay in the Gascony countryside
Lectoure guide
Lavardens
The castle and the church are among the places of interest in the small village of Lavardens
Lavardens guide
Sarrant
The ancient gateway and half-timbered houses bring a medieval feel to the village of Sarrant
Sarrant 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
Auch
Auch, the ancient capital of Gascony, has a cathedral and several other historic monuments of interest
Auch guide
Saint-Antoine
The most unique charateristic in the pretty village of Saint-Antoine are the painted walls inside the church, a very unusual site nowadays although common 500 years ago
Saint-Antoine guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gers
Address: Fleurance, Condom, Midi-Pyrenees, 32500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.85, longitude 0.6644
Plan your visit to Fleurance, Gers
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lectoure: recommended detour (10 km)
- Gramont Chateau: national monument (13 km)
- Blaziert: ville fleurie 4* (18 km)
- La Romieu Collegiale St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (20 km)
- Jardin et arboretum de Coursiana: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Auch cathédrale St Just (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (24 km)
- Ordan-Larroque: ville fleurie 4* (24 km)
- Larressingle: most beautiful village (30 km)
- Beaumont sur l'Osee pont d'Artigues (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Auvillar: most beautiful village (31 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Layrac): religious monument (32 km)
- Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax): religious monument (33 km)
Market days in Fleurance, France
Regular market(s) are held in Fleurance each Tuesday all day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Fleurance (Francais)