Wednesday Afternoon Organic Market - Auch
Gers, a land for foodies and gourmets! The "Les Agri-Culturels 32" association brings together certified local organic producers and a mobile bulk organic grocery.
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Auch
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ℹ️Practical info — Auch
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Prepare for climbing stairs, especially the famous 'Escalier Monumental' that connects the lower and upper town.
- It is best to park your car in the flatter lower town (Basse-Ville) and explore the historic hill on foot.
- The Sainte-Marie Cathedral is quietest at midday, when the light perfectly illuminates its famous Renaissance stained-glass windows.
- Wander through the 'Pousterles', the steep medieval alleys that offer an authentic glimpse into historic Auch.
🍽 Food
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Upper town bistro
Try Confit de Canard (duck confit), a classic dish of the Gascony region.
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Regional specialty restaurant
Order Foie Gras as a starter in one of the traditional restaurants near the cathedral.
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Armagnac tasting
Finish your dinner with a glass of Armagnac, the region's famous brandy.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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Upper town market
Visit the Saturday market in the upper town to buy local cheese, charcuterie, and fresh produce.
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Armagnac specialty shop
Find a bottle of high-quality, locally produced Armagnac as the great souvenir.
🧘
Parc du Couloumé
A beautiful English landscape park near the city center, handy for a picnic.
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Banks of the Gers river
Walk along the quiet paths on the banks of the Gers river, away from the hustle of the upper town.
Water temperature…
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A major event for circus arts, this festival hosts 15 to 20 professional companies every October, featuring around 80 performances.
Auch is the historic capital of Gascony and the administrative seat of the Gers department. Built on a prominent hill overlooking the Gers River, the city is best known for the monumental Sainte-Marie Cathedral. This Late Gothic cathedral, constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, houses remarkable stained-glass windows and intricately carved oak choir stalls featuring over 1,500 figures. Another iconic landmark is the 'Escalier Monumentale', a grand staircase with 374 steps that connects the lower and upper parts of the town, featuring a statue of the famous musketeer d'Artagnan at its center. Auch's history dates back to the Gallo-Roman settlement of Elimberrum, and it served as a major archiepiscopal see throughout the Middle Ages. The city retains a traditional Gascon atmosphere, celebrated through its local gastronomy, including Armagnac brandy and foie gras. Today, Auch is a cultural hub with a lively market scene and remains an important stop on the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route.
- Location: Occitanie, France
- Top sights: Sainte-Marie Cathedral · Monumental Staircase · Armagnac Tower
- Nearby: Fleurance (24 km)
- Population: ~23.258
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 77 | 56 | 63 | 74 | 84 | 61 | 49 | 52 | 50 | 64 | 80 | 69 |
Live webcam – Auch
See what it looks like near Auch right now.
Auch › West: Aéroport Auch-Gers · 4.7 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Sainte-Marie Cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Routes of Santiago.
- The monumental staircase, completed in 1863, features 374 steps and a height difference of 35 meters.
- Charles de Batz de Castelmore, the inspiration for d'Artagnan, was born near the city of Auch.
- The Museum of the Americas in Auch holds the second-largest collection of pre-Columbian art in France.
- The 14th-century Tour d'Armagnac is a 40-meter-high tower that once served as a prison.
- The city's ancient name, Elimberrum, reflects its origins as the capital of the Aquitanian Auscii tribe.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→20:041 km walk8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 27€ · Transport 0€
Your day starts at the base of the monumental stairs linking lower and upper Auch. Greet d'Artagnan's statue before ascending to the magnificent cathedral. After exploring medieval 'pousterles' and the unique Museum of the Americas, unwind on the shaded Allées d'Etigny before a final look at the elegant Town Hall.
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09:00→20:371.7 km ride7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 30–40 €Entries 23€ · Transport 12€
Explore Auch on two wheels! Start on the broad Allées d'Etigny and pedal up to the cathedral. After visiting d'Artagnan's monument and the museum, enjoy a flat, scenic ride along the river Gers before finishing at the Town Hall.
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09:00→19:2526.3 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 17–23 €Entries 15€ · Transport 5€
By car, you can combine the historic center of Auch with the rolling hills of the Gers. Park in the upper town for the cathedral, then head down to the riverside park. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive to the nearby Château de Lavardens, one of France's most beautiful villages.
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09:10 · 79'
Sainte-Marie Cathedral (Cluster A)
Park at the Place de la Libération parking garage.
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Sights in the town Auch (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous attraction in Auch?
The Sainte-Marie Cathedral with its intricately carved choir stalls and Renaissance stained glass.
What is the 'Escalier Monumental'?
A monumental staircase with 374 steps connecting the lower town to the upper town.
Which historical figure is honored here?
D'Artagnan, the famous musketeer, whose statue stands on the Escalier Monumental.
What is a typical delicacy of the region?
Duck products like Foie Gras and Confit de Canard, as well as Armagnac brandy.
What is the best day for a visit?
Saturday morning, when the traditional market is held in the upper town.
Auch: where is it located?
Auch is located in Occitanie, France.
Auch: what is there to see?
Highlights include Sainte-Marie Cathedral, Monumental Staircase, Armagnac Tower.
Auch: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Auch: why is it worth visiting?
Auch is the historic capital of Gascony and the administrative seat of the Gers department.
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