The province of Gers, also known as Gascony to the historically or romantically inclined, is becoming an ideal place to find property for sale in South-West France. Most people who are in the market for such a Gascony property are those who are looking for vacation homes to escape to during the summer holidays.
Castles in Gascony are amongst the many choices for these vacation-home hunters. According to various tourism reports, there are more than 500 castles in Gers, and many of these castles date back to the 12th century or older. Whilst a number of them stand in ruins, many of them have been restored by historical societies in Gers and now serve a variety of functions including museums and cultural centres. Many of them, on the other hand, are owned privately.
Medieval Castles: A Testament to Gascony’s Colourful History
You may ask why there are so many castles in Gascony. To find the answer to that question, you need to look at Gascony’s medieval past. Historically, Gers was part of the Roman province of Aquitania, and it was a province that Romans acquired through war and conquest. The territory fell to various rulers over the years until it was united with the Duchy of Aquitaine during the Middle Ages.
In feudal times, a duchy covers large tracts of land. The Duchy of Aquitaine historically accounted for nearly a third of the whole of modern France. A duchy of that size had many vassals, who controlled parts of the duchy under the authority of the duke, and these vassals had their own vassals. The medieval castles in Gascony were the fortifications that these vassals built as homes and as protection of their land.
Medieval Castles: A Great Gascony Property to Own
If you are looking for a property for sale in South-West France, you may want to consider purchasing a medieval castle as your potential Gascony property. A castle in Gascony makes an ideal choice for a vacation home. They are isolated enough to grant you the peace and quiet that you seek when you go on a holiday. Castles in Gers stand surrounded by natural beauty that take your mind away from the stress of life in the city.
However, just because you are staying in a castle, it does not mean that you would be totally isolated. Invariably there will be a town or a village within a few minutes of the castle. If you need anything, all you need to do is to drive or ride a bicycle.
Also, any castle in Gers that you find listed as property for sale in South-West France is more than likely to be fitted with modern accoutrements to ensure that your stay there will be comfortable. The kitchens and bathrooms in these castles will be modernised, and there will be centralised heating and air conditioning.
Most importantly, you can profit from having such a property. Gers is a popular tourist destination in South-West France. Whilst you are not staying in your castle you can rent it out to other tourists. After all, many holiday-goers find the idea of vacationing in a castle a romantic one.
Property South West France - Browse our luxury selection of property South West France with Gers properties, properties in Landes, property Tarn and Garonne, Gascony properties, property Gers, and Lot and Garonne properties.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
GERS -- Home of D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan, the fourth musketeer of Dumas’ Three Musketeers, came from Gers, a landlocked area of rolling hills and pretty hilltop villages in the south-west of France, within easy reach of the Atlantic coast or the Pyrenees. Gers, one of the most rural areas in western Europe and relatively undiscovered, is the French home of pate de foie gras, and has a balmy and dry climate. It is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790, and was created from parts of the former provinces of Guyenne and Gascony. It is also one of the sunniest areas of France. The typical landscape consists of fields of sunflowers and maize. Auch, the capital of the department, is one of the hottest cities in France, and boasts more than 300 sunny days in the year. It is the site of a glorious gothic cathedral, Sainte Marie, dated 1489, which features a carved choir and beautiful stained glass windows. A statue of the man upon whom Dumas based his character of D’Artagnan, wearing a plumed hat and carrying a rapier, stands in the main square.
Gers is bordered by the Hautes-Pyrenees to the south, Tarn to the east, Tarn-et-Garonne to the north-east and Landes to the west on the sea.
The many attractive hilltop villages called bastides were founded during the Hundred Years War between England and France, mainly in South-Western France. They were fortified by the counts of Toulouse against marauding English soldiers from the adjoining region of Aquitaine, once an English possession. The church which was either included in the village, or built nearby, served as a keep and observation post. They were new towns, laid out in a rectangular grid .mainly set up on frontier and disputed lands, to establish a border and a defensive presence. People were subsidised to settle there, in a manner very similar to the kibbutz settlements in Israel. Bastides were originally walled towns, centred around a market square, with the houses set in narrow streets.
Pleasure boating, fishing and waterskiing are some of the sports available on the many lakes and rivers in the area; the River Baise is navigable from Valence sur Baise to Condom and it is now possible to join the Canal of the Garonne.
In addition to foie gras, goose and duck confit, the gastronomical specialties of the region are Armagnac brandy, Cotes de Gascogne wines (fresh fruity dry whites), Floc de Gascogne, and wild mushrooms. In this corner of France, more than in almost any other part of Europe, the discovery of America has had an obvious effect on the food. From the early sixteenth century, when they were first introduced, maize, pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers have gradually taken over a large part of the best dishes of daily life. For instance, tomato dishes are made more piquant with the addition of peppers and chillies, particularly in pipérade, where they are combined with scrambled eggs. This part of France is rich in game as well. The markets reflect the rich agricultural nature of the department and are full of colourful vegetables and delightful fruit. Night markets are held in July and August so that people can shop in the cooler time of day.
There are three thermal spas, Barbotan-les-Thermes, Castera-Verduzan, and the roman town of Lectoure.
The nearest international airport is Toulouse
Gers is bordered by the Hautes-Pyrenees to the south, Tarn to the east, Tarn-et-Garonne to the north-east and Landes to the west on the sea.
The many attractive hilltop villages called bastides were founded during the Hundred Years War between England and France, mainly in South-Western France. They were fortified by the counts of Toulouse against marauding English soldiers from the adjoining region of Aquitaine, once an English possession. The church which was either included in the village, or built nearby, served as a keep and observation post. They were new towns, laid out in a rectangular grid .mainly set up on frontier and disputed lands, to establish a border and a defensive presence. People were subsidised to settle there, in a manner very similar to the kibbutz settlements in Israel. Bastides were originally walled towns, centred around a market square, with the houses set in narrow streets.
Pleasure boating, fishing and waterskiing are some of the sports available on the many lakes and rivers in the area; the River Baise is navigable from Valence sur Baise to Condom and it is now possible to join the Canal of the Garonne.
In addition to foie gras, goose and duck confit, the gastronomical specialties of the region are Armagnac brandy, Cotes de Gascogne wines (fresh fruity dry whites), Floc de Gascogne, and wild mushrooms. In this corner of France, more than in almost any other part of Europe, the discovery of America has had an obvious effect on the food. From the early sixteenth century, when they were first introduced, maize, pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers have gradually taken over a large part of the best dishes of daily life. For instance, tomato dishes are made more piquant with the addition of peppers and chillies, particularly in pipérade, where they are combined with scrambled eggs. This part of France is rich in game as well. The markets reflect the rich agricultural nature of the department and are full of colourful vegetables and delightful fruit. Night markets are held in July and August so that people can shop in the cooler time of day.
There are three thermal spas, Barbotan-les-Thermes, Castera-Verduzan, and the roman town of Lectoure.
The nearest international airport is Toulouse
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