Come and visit Auch in the Gers, with our selection of must-see places!
Auch, the heart of Gascony, has a rich history. The medieval city was built on an ancient oppidum. Its historic center is rich in monuments, constituting a beautiful heritage and an essential stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Visiting Auch is like diving into the history of the South-West.
Auch, the historic capital of Gascony, is crossed by the River Gers, which highlights the old town. Also, the local gastronomy will be a plunge into local flavors. And if your stay lasts longer, the Gers vineyards, as well as the surrounding castles and villages, will enhance your visit. Here’s our selection of places to visit in Auch!
1 The monumental Auch staircase and the statue of d’Artagnan
Photo credit: Shutterstock – TravelKiwis
Climbing to the top of the monumental staircase is one of the must-do activities in Auch. The staircase is an emblem of the city. In fact, it links the historic city to the new town. It dates back to 1863. It also offers a magnificent view of the city and the Gers valley. And even beyond, to the Pyrenees mountain range, if the sky is clear.
There’s also a fine bronze sculpture of d’Artagnan by Michelet. Charles de Batz, Captain of the King’s Musketeers, known as d’Artagnan, is indeed a local. He was born in a village not far from here.
2 Sainte-Marie Cathedral
Photo credit: Shutterstock – vouvraysan
Sainte-Marie Cathedral is an imposing monument, towering over the city. At the heart of the historic center, it stands on the Place de la République, and its beautiful esplanade enhances the monument. It’s a place steeped in history, with a grandiose and admirable architecture. In fact, it took two centuries to build (1489-1680), and it’s possible to admire many different styles.
It features touches of flamboyant Gothic style, but also Renaissance and Corinthian order. It is one of France’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals. The interior is splendid, with its many majestic stained-glass windows, 17th-century organ and oak choir.
This cathedral is a Unesco World Heritage Site, part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. It’s a must-see monument in Auch.
3 The Cathedral Treasure Museum in the Tour d’Armagnac
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
The Tour d’Armagnac is a 14th-century monument that towers 40 meters above the town. It was once a prison, and the dungeons can still be visited. The first floor and basement are open to the public.
Today, it’s a museum dedicated to textiles and religious objects. Over 200 objects are on display, including sculptures, paintings and silverware. The museum can be visited in parallel with Sainte-Marie d’Auch Cathedral, which is just a stone’s throw away. In fact, the museum provides a better understanding of the history of the famous cathedral.
If you’re looking for something to do in Auch after the cathedral, why not visit the Musée du Trésor? And after visiting the museum, you can take a break right in front of it, on the Place Salinis.
4 Pre-Columbian Art at the Museum of the Americas
Photo credit: Musée des Amériques-Auch
For enthusiasts of this period, this museum is a must, as it boasts the second-largest pre-Columbian collection in France. This museum in Auch has been awarded the « Pôle National de Référence en art précolombien et art sacré latino-américain » label.
Extra-European Art takes pride of place, of course, with everything relating to the Americas. But there’s also an Antiquity-Medieval collection, with Egyptian and Gallo-Roman antiquities, as well as late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, with relics from the region.
In addition, two collections are just as exciting! The first concerns Auch and Gascon culture from the 17th century onwards. Then there’s the fine arts collection.
5 The historic center
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
If you’re visiting Auch, a stroll through the historic center is a must. In addition to the emblematic monuments of the monumental staircase, the cathedral and the Tour d’Armagnac, other monuments are also of interest. These include the medieval fortifications of Auch’s city walls on rue des Pénitents Bleus.
But also the house of Henri IV, the town hall, the Hôtel de la Préfecture, formerly the archiepiscopal palace, and an Italian-style theater. But above all, the famous « pousterles », steeply-sloping medieval alleyways. There are 5 of them, and at the time, they were used to reach the river from the upper town.
You can also take a tour with an accredited guide or download the Explore Auch mobile app.
6 Gastronomy in the Gers
Photo credit: Shutterstock – freeskyline
If you’re looking for something to do in Auch to deepen your visit, then take an interest in gastronomy! The cuisine of the Gers is extremely tasty and epicureans will be delighted. Tasting the local specialties is like immersing yourself in the culinary traditions of the Gascons. Let yourself be tempted by farmhouse poultry, confits, magrets, goose and duck foie gras.
For winter evenings, aïgo boulido, garlic broth with soaked bread. And for dessert, croustade aux pommes, a traditional puff pastry. Enhance meals with local wines: Côtes de Saint-Mont, Madiran, Pacherenc, not forgetting Floc de Gascogne and the famous Armagnac!
7.Couloumé Park
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Spechcontal
Parc du Couloumé is a beautiful 5-hectare green space close to the town center. In this English-style park, an avenue of lime trees offers a beautiful view of the cathedral and the Tour d’Armagnac. A wide variety of trees can be seen, including different species of oak, as well as redwoods. And depending on the season, the park is brightened by a variety of flowers, especially wild orchids.
Children and teenagers can have fun in the playground or on the toboggan run. Parc du Couloumé has been awarded the EVE (Espace Végétal Écologique) label. In fact, it’s one of the most pleasant and relaxing parks in the world, perfect for a stroll or a sporting activity. A bucolic, relaxing stopover in Auch, on the banks of the Gers.
8. international circus festival
Photo credit: Facebook – CIRCa Auch
The CIRCA circus festival is a not-to-be-missed ten-day event held every October. It began in 1988 and has grown over the years to become an internationally renowned festival. It’s an exciting event for circus professionals, enthusiasts and spectators alike.
It’s the place to be for quality shows and professional encounters in the circus arts. The circus festival includes shows, meetings with artists, concerts, exhibitions, introductory workshops… So if you’ve decided to visit Auch in October, make the most of it!
9 Resistance and Deportation Museum
Photo credit: Wkikipedia – MarineB-LycéePardailhan
Update 07/22/2020: the museum is currently closed for renovation. Reopening planned for at least 2021 (exact date unknown).
This museum in Auch tells the story of the Gers Resistance. Numerous period items are on display, including weapons, sabotage equipment, clothing, armbands and period photos.
There’s also a map showing the location of the maquis and the actions of resistance fighters. An area is dedicated to the deportation of people from the Gers region. A number of objects are on display, including clothing worn by deportees.
10 Les rives du Gers, Promenade Claude Desbons
Photo credit – Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
The river Gers flows through Auch, and its banks are particularly pleasant. It’s an ideal place for a stroll and for admiring the view of certain monuments. The Promenade Claude Desbons is a path reserved for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. Running for 4 kilometers along the Gers river, it makes a great outdoor break when visiting Auch.
What’s more, it offers a beautiful view of the old town and its emblematic monuments, the cathedral and the Tour d’Armagnac, as well as the monumental staircase, reflected in the river. Not forgetting the photogenic Pont de la Treille, Auch’s oldest bridge, dating from the 18th century.
How do I get to Auch?
- By plane: Toulouse-Blagnac and Bordeaux-Mérignac airports serve several cities in France and Europe. Pau-Pyrénées airport offers flights to Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Marrakech.
The Agen-La-Garenne and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airports offer connections to Paris. Then train, cab or bus. Find the best price with a flight comparator like Skyscanner. - By train: Toulouse-Auch line or TGV Paris/Bordeaux/Toulouse line, get off at Agen then take the bus
- By car: A62 Bordeaux/Agen or A64 Toulouse/Pau freeways
- In town: city bus or on foot
- If you don’t have your own car, you can rent one to explore the surrounding area using a car rental comparison service such as Rentalcars.
Where to stay in Auch?
To take advantage of the historic monuments, you can stay in a downtown hotel to explore the historic heart of the city, or in a hotel on the outskirts. Our hotel comparator will help you find the best accommodation and rates. You can also select an Airbnb accommodation.
And don’t forget the campsite and motorhome park. As Auch is a stopover on the pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll also find a pilgrim’s hostel (for pilgrims on a journey), including a donativo.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Occitanie