Around Marciac

Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

50 minutes away :

• Auch : the capital of Gascony and a staging post on the St James's Way pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, standing like a beacon over the sunny, rolling Gers countryside.
  www.auch-tourisme.com

55 minutes away :

• Flaran, Baïse, Armagnac : from Flaran Abbey to Condom, with the fortified village of Larressingle in between, a collection of attractions that reflects Gascony's unique heritage.
  www.tourisme-condom.com

Villages

12 minutes away :

• Tillac : an adorable 'castelnau' (medieval village protected by a castle) with half-timbered houses.

• Bassoues : a picturesque village with an impregnable castle keep (14th century) and an amazing little basilica (the Basilica of Saint Fris, 15th century). www.bassoues.net

• Plaisance : this 'bastide' village is unusual in that it has two squares lined with covered passageways and the church boasts a superb contemporary organ made locallye. www.plaisancedugers.com

25 minutes away :

• Mirande : an attractive 13th century 'bastide' village that is today famous for its country music festival. See the Gothic cathedral and little Museum of Fine Arts. www.ot-mirande.com

Vineyards

30 minutes away :

• The Saint Mont vineyards : see the beautiful hilltop village of Saint Mont, the hub of the Gascony wine industry, then visit the Saint Mont AOC wine producers. For their addresses, see the Gers Departmental Tourist Board website. www.holidays-gers.com

• The Madiran vineyards : head for the Maison des Vins de Madiran for information and advice then set off to meet the wine growers, who have as much personality as their wines. Tél. 05 62 31 90 67.

Museums

16 minutes away :

• Espace Archéologique, Maubourguet : packed with local archaeological finds. The star exhibit is the Gallo-Roman mosaic dedicated to the god Oceanus. Tél. 05 62 96 39 09 – www.tourisme-maubourguet.fr

20 minutes away :

• Tour de Termes d’Armagnac : a magnificent 13th century tower that features historical recreations and scenes from local life locale. Tel. +33 (0)5 62 69 25 12 – www.tourdetermes.fr

25 minutes away :

• Musée D’Artagnan, Lupiac : the former chapel in Lupiac is home to an audiovisual experience all about the legendary musketeer, who was born very near by at the Château de Castelmore. – www.lemondededartagnan.fr

Walking

From Marciac :

• The 'Coteaux de Marciac' : a 13km walk along a series of ridge-top paths with views of the countryside of colourful fields and vineyards.

Natural attractions

15 minutes away :

• La Maison de l’Eau, Jü-Belloc: an exhibition venue and the starting point of walks exploring an 80-hectare protected nature area along the banks of the River Adour. Tél. 05 62 08 35 98.

Fairs and festivals

30 minutes away :

• Musique et vins en Madiran : convivial evening events combining wonderful music and fine food. In July. www.musiqueenmadiran.fr

35 minutes away :

• Saint Mont Vignoble en Fête : 3 days of wonderful viticultural, gastronomic and cultural discoveries. In March. www.vins-saintmont.com

• Tempo Latino, Vic-Fezensac : a major celebration of salsa and all other Latin music, this festival has a worldwide reputation. In July. www.tempo-latino.com