The name “Auch” derives from the Roman name of the people of Aquitaine, the Ausci, who inhabited this area around 50 B.C.

The historical town centre of Auch, situated high above the valley of the River Gers, is best explored on a pleasant walk  through the picturesque ancient town. The sloping alleys , the so-called “Pousterles”, lead you down to the banks of the River Gers, which flows through the town and gives its name to the Department!

The most noticeable attraction, dominating the view of the town even from a distance, is “St Mary’s”, one of the largest cathedrals in France, built  between the 15^th & 17^th Centuries. Inside you will discover genuine masterpieces, such as the 18 stained-glass windows, the work of Arnaud de Moles, and the 113 choirstools made of oak, which took 50 years to construct. Since 1998 the Cathedral  has belonged  to the UNESCO list of world heritage jewels!

The nearby “Tour d’Armagnac” tower, built in the 14^th century as a prison, was regarded as a revolution in the architecture of the period because of its height of 40 metres!

Take your time: there is a lot more to see……………..

The monumental stone stairway with its 370 steps and the statue of D’Artignan

The Prefecture, the ancient Bishop’s Palace from the 18^th Century, whose imposing façade with Corinthian columns  is very worthwhile seeing

The Dominican Cloisters dating from 1793, one of the oldest in France, which now houses a museum

The house known as “Maison Fedel”, the oldest & most beautiful building in Auch,where you will find the Tourist Information Office.

Toulouse is the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees Region, and the second-biggest city in France by area. The existence of the city was recorded as early as in Roman times: in those days it was known as “Tolosa”. It is known today as “the Pink-Coloured City “ because of its many buildings in red-brick. For hobby photographers excellent subjects in all shades of red present themselves particularly well in the hours just before dusk.

Amongst the most important attractions of the city are the Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Gothic Dominican Cloisters “Les Jacobins”, the Capitol, the City Hall of Toulouse from the 16^th Century, and the “Canal du Midi”, which links Toulouse to the Mediterranean and is now also part of the UNESCO world heritage list.

Many other attractions invite you to visit the “Pink City”: Patrician houses in the style of the Renaissance, the “Pont Neuf”, the oldest surviving bridge over the Garonne (built between 1543 and 1632), and the “Basilika St Sernin”, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in France.

Holidays near Toulouse: spoil yourself with a visit to all of these wonderful attractions and the magic of a large city in the South of France.

The City of Carcassonne: medieval citadel

Lourdes: Catholic pilgrimage destination

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: pilgrimage stopover town in the French part of the Basque Country

Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges: medieval stronghold and notable cloisters at the foot of the Pyrenees