Our Postcard from Gascony or the Gers, in southwest France

Gers (or Gascony) is located in the Occitanie region of southwest France; its official definition encompasses an enormous expanse of land stretching from Bordeaux and Bayonne in the west to Toulouse in the east. With cities such as Mont-de-Marsan, Dax, Pau, Tarbes, and Auch included in its remit, it is an area of varied and interesting landscapes, mountains, and the sea.

The Heart of Gascony

Taking in the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrenées, this part of France really does have something to offer everyone. However, while the term Gascony is officially used to cover this broad expanse of land, it has also been used to describe, and in particular to market, the department known as the Gers, located at the heart of Gascony. Often referred to as the land of d’Artagnan and his 3 Musketeers, the Gers is a truly unspoilt corner of France that, in its own right, has a broad array of landscapes and experiences to offer anyone who fancies visiting this region or indeed living there.

Recognition and Appeal

As evidence of the attractiveness of the Gers, the Telegraph newspaper recently published a report entitled “The World’s top 20 places for the Good Life” and listed in second place was Gascony, or what they referred to as The Gers. Rejecting the over-visited and often over-hyped Provence, the broadsheet hailed The Gers as the new jewel in the French crown. Stating quite clearly that the French have always loved this corner of France, they revealed that it’s only recently that Brits have really started to appreciate the quality of life this corner of the globe offers.

Cultural and Culinary Classics

A quiet cultural spot, but cultural in the true sense of the word and without any pomp and circumstance, the Gers is home to local food and drink enthusiasts and is often said to boast the longest-living population in Europe. This might be surprising, bearing in mind the amount of foie gras and red wine that is consumed here, but it might be because of these factors, rather than in spite of them, that people live so long.

The Gascon Wine Diet

Now commonly referred to as the “Wine Diet,” Professor Roger Corder’s findings showed that, although people in this area eat a high-fat diet and drink more red wine than most, they live longer. Apparently, it’s down to the Tannat in the red Madiran wines that are found in this area. These Tannats help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. So, in the Gers, not only can you enjoy the Good Life here, but the new life you enjoy is actually good for you. That’s what we call a win-win.

Rural Beauty and Climate

A truly unspoilt region, you can expect rolling hills, cold, dry winters and hot summers. This, alongside men in berets and the host of culinary specialities surrounding the duck, is what makes this neck of the woods the heaven that justifies its second place in this prestigious list. The other good news is that properties in this region are still highly affordable, typically sizeable, and offer something that’s likely to appeal to everyone.

Accessibility and Property

When it comes to getting there, there is a whole host of flight options from the UK, with Bordeaux and Toulouse international airports not far away, as well as Lourdes, Tarbes, Pau and Biarritz within easy driving distance. If you’re looking for a property in this wonderful area, sometimes referred to as France’s own Tuscany, then take a look at our character houses for sale in Gascony.