Larressingle is a medieval fortified village towards the northern edge of the Gers department, five kilometres west of Condom. The village is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
A small village, almost completely surrounded by heavy fortified walls dating from the 13th century, Larressingle is almost 300 metres around and creates a very impressive sight on arrival. Medieval home to the bishops from Condom, it is the most visited destination in the Gers.
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France This Way review: although it is very small, Larressingle is a 'must see' village if you are in the region. It really is an interesting and lovely little place and very well worth seeing.
The defenses that surround Larressingle are almost completely intact except a small part to the east, and especially remarkable because there is no development outside the walls so the village has preserved its medieval appearance.
Before entering the village take a walk around the outside of the fortified walls: surrounded by vines and fields, the fortified walls of Larressingle are at their most impressive from the outside.
You enter the centre of the village by the only gate through the fortifications, across a pretty little double-arched stone bridge that was at one time a drawbridge across the moat (now dry) and through an arch in a tower.
Within the walls of the smallest fortified town in France you can see a small church, Roman style and fortified in design; a small chateau; and various smaller buildings and houses, mostly set with their backs to the fortified walls. Although the castle is largely in ruins it is still dominated by the donjon and you can see several large fireplaces set in the walls.
Note: many of the houses are gift / local produce shops during the summer season, and there is also a small cafe and a museum explaining the history of the village but these are all closed if you visit outside high season.
War machines of the Middle Ages
Just outside the fortified part of the town of Larressingle there is an 'exhibition' of medieval weaponry - essentially a recreation of a medieval siege camp at the walls of the fortified town.
It was very entertaining and interesting for the children (and me) to see and use the large stone throwers, battering rams and other weaponry that would have been used to attack such a village in the 12th century.
Local highlights
Larressingle is on one of the major pilgrimage paths to Santiago de Compostella, a path that also passes through nearby Condom and Montreal-du-Gers. The stone bridge across the Osse river at nearby Artigues is one of the oldest structures along the pilgrimage route.
Fourcés and Montréal-de-Gers are also nearby and both classified among the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
This region is Armagnac country, and ample opportunities exist to try armagnac and buy it in the vicinity.
You can find more travel ideas in the Gers guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
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Map of Larressingle and places nearby
Visit near Larressingle with France This Way reviews
Condom cathedral
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Condom cathedral guide
Condom
In the town of Condom it is the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and historic centre that is of interest to visitors
Condom guide
Fources
Fources, one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' is unusual in being a bastide town that follows a circular layout
Fources guide
Montreal-du-Gers
After exploring the picturesque village at Montreal-du-Gers you can visit the Roman Villa of Seviac nearby
Montreal-du-Gers 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
Villeneuve de Mezin
This tiny village is just one of several in the northern Gascony region that have a fortified ancient church.
Villeneuve de Mezin guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gers
Tourist classifications for Larressingle
Larressingle is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Larressingle, Condom, Midi-Pyrenees, 32100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.944, longitude 0.3103
Plan your visit to Larressingle, Gers
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Beaumont sur l'Osee pont d'Artigues (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site
- Fources: most beautiful village (8 km)
- Montreal-du-Gers: most beautiful village (9 km)
- Blaziert: ville fleurie 4* (13 km)
- La Romieu Collegiale St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (16 km)
- Jardin et arboretum de Coursiana: remarkable garden (16 km)
- Nerac: secteur sauvegarde (21 km)
- Lectoure: recommended detour (25 km)
- Walibi Aquitaine: theme park (29 km)
- Eglise de Sainte Marie (Aubiac): religious monument (30 km)
- Ordan-Larroque: ville fleurie 4* (31 km)
- Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax): religious monument (32 km)
The French version of this page is at Larressingle (Francais)