Part of our series featuring places for a short stay in the in France we visit the Gers, South West France.
Le Weekend in…Eauze
Where to stay? Domaine de Lauroux at Manciet. Domaine de Lauroux, situated 2km from the town of Manciet.where Karen and Richard Kitchener run a wine and Armagnac domaine in the Cotes de Gascogne. Manciet is close to the charming market town of Eauze. Lauroux is a 100 acre award-winning vineyard offering self catering and B&B accommodation together with evening meals
| Where to eat – recommended | Evening meals can be taken at the Domaine by advanced booking – and enjoy some of the Domaine#s wines |
| Where to eat – gourmet | In Manciet there is a Michelin starred restaurant for those special treats.Further afield in Eauze and Nogaro, there is a wide choice of bars and brasseries.La Bonne Auberge in the centre of Manciet is Michelin starred and offers gourmet standard meals including a lunch “formule”.In the town of Eauze, La Vie en Rose has an excellent long-standing reputation for fine dining |
| Where to eat – value for money | The village of Manciet has a budget priced bar/restaurant |
| Local food and wines | Superb value Cotes de Gascogne wines, Floc de Gascogne (an aperitif made from grape juice and Armagnac)and fine vintage Armagnacs.Vins de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne and Armagnac(especially from Domaine de Lauroux))Food – Anything to do with duck really – from pate, to rillettes, magret de canard and the famous foie gras |
| Markets | Eauze market day is Thursday – the market is one of the largest in the area offering everythingfrom saucisson to cheeses and more besides.Nogaro has a small market on Wednesdays and weekly market on Saturdays.Vic Fezensac (15km) has a large, bustling market on Fridays. |
| Must see | Many vineyards and Armagnac distilleries are worthy of a visit. |
| a bit of culture? | ?The cathedrals at Auch and Condom are uplifiting and inspiring.Montreal has a Roman villa with amazing mosaicsLupiac is the birthplace of d’Artagnanand has a small museum worthy of note.For those interested in the great outdoors, the region is perfect for bike rides or walking -many back roads with spectacular views and very little traffic. |
| Shopping | The city of Pau is elegant and offers many opportunities for retail therapy along with pavement cafesand numerous restaurants. |
| Something for the kids? | Here on the vineyard, we have 100 acres of land including woods and pasture.A little further afield is the Santiago de Compostella pilgrim’s route.On the vineyard there is loads of space, a swimming pool, bikes to borrow, lakes and woodlands to explore. |
| Getting there? | Nearest airports are Toulouse (90 minutes), Pau (60 minutes)- 11 hour drive from the channel ports and 3 1/2 hours from the Spanish port of Bibao |
| This part of Gascony isn’t very well served by public transport so a car would be essential.There are several bicycles at the vineyard which guests can borrow. | |
| When to go | There are many events and festivals which take place in the region throughout the year.The most popular seem to be Jazz in Marciac (August) and Tempo Latino(23-26 July 2009) |
| For a longer stay | The Pyrenees and the Spanish border are a 2-hour drive away allowing guests who are staying a little longer,o explore further afield. Biarritz and St Jean de Luz |
For more info see www.tourisme-gers.com For more info on the accommodation see http://frenchduck.com/latest/archives/2008/04/bb-or-gite-in-the-gers.html
