Gers (historically known as Gascony) is one of eight departments which combine to form the Midi-Pyrenees Region of France. The climate offers mild winters and hot summers which can stretch through September into October.

Click here to view the weather in the area. Stay safe in the sun www.onestopbeachshop.co.uk

Coutet is set in a rural location 3km away from the village of Panjas which offers a post office, ocassional visiting produce van and local Fete.

The town of Nogaro is just 10 minutes drive providing a variety of shops, cafes
and super markets. Nogaro has a summer Fete and many events held at the Circuit Paul Armagnac race track as well as an airfield should you wish to fly in by light aircraft!

Night markets are held during the summer months in Eauze and Vic Fezensac with local cafes
open 'till late.

The Midi-Pyrénées Region
The region contains many sites of natural beauty such as the thick forests, alpine meadows and steep rocky slopes which form the wide diversity of the Pyrenees. The flora and fauna here are as spectacular as their surroundings, rarer species include the Golden Eagle and the Brown Bear which survives in a few remote places
of the western Pyrenees. More noticeable is the Griffon Vulture which is often seen soaring around high crags.
The parc Nationale des Pyrenees has a visitor information centre (maison du parc) and marked walking trails.
National parks.

The Pyrenees has superb resorts for skiing and snowboarding, whilst the same mountain range is perfect for canyoning, rock climbing, hang gliding, paragliding, white water rafting, trekking and many more adventure sports.

Pau and Nogaro are within easy reach for motor racing enthusiasts, Pau being the site of the first race ever to be called a Grand Prix. The city has hosted street racing events since 1988 and is imbued with racing history. The Grand Prix de Pau Historique, a premier International classic car race takes over the streets of this genteel city in June. Pau was transformed in the late 15th century from modest castelnau to royal city. The old town is full of charm, style and restaurants and a walk along the Boulevard des Pyrenees can be quite breathtaking on a clear day when the mountains fill the horizon. Nogaro has a small airfield suitable for the landing of light aircraft

The bastides or new towns founded in the 13th and 14th centuries were generally built in a grid layout, their straight streets connecting at right angles. At the centre of the grid there is always a square or market place, often with shady stone-arched arcades. Despite being a tiny 14th century bastide, Fources is quite fascinating, it has a castle, an intriguing clock tower, medieval houses and bridge and a central square that is in fact a perfect circle.

Eating is one of the great pleasures of being in France, the market stalls are brimming over with fresh local produce and the restaurants will not disappoint. The Gers is well known for it's full and varied gastronomy; it is the leading area of France in garlic production, it is also highly regarded for it's foie gras which is a light and luxurious pate and then to freshen the pallet, try the melons of Lectoure. If you enjoy good wine; many of the large chateaux offer guided tours and tastings (degustations). The tours at Busca Manniban and Cassaigne, both near Condom can be recommended.

Armagnac, France's oldest eau-de-vie is produced in a region covering about 130 square km (50 square miles) which is divided into three areas, each of which claims that it's product is the best. But as we know, it IS Bas-Armagnac around Eauze and Nogaro which produces the finest! Armagnac is produced by distilling white grapes, it emerges from the still without colour but in time it turns gold. A quality Armagnac matures in an oak cask for 10 to 20 years.

Markets
Local towns are humming with activity on market day. Vic Frezensac has a colourful and bustling market on
Fridays, which fills the central square and overflows into the surrounding streets; there are hats, flowers,
pottery and plentiful local produce for sale.Eauze is another busy and interesting market on Thursdays.

Wednesday sees the market at Barbotan les thermes and it's worth tying a visit in with lunce followed by an afternoon at Lac du Luby.

Golf

Within easy reach of Coutet are some of the finest golf courses in south west France. Play 18 holes at Golf de Guinlet championship course near Eauze just 15 minutes from Coutet. Enjoy a round of golf at the18 hole Golf d'Auch-Embats whilst the non-golfers in your party explore the pretty streets of Auch, the capital town of Gers
with its many boutiques and cafes. Auch cathedral is known for the 113 intricately carved oak choir stalls
portraying more than 1500 figures and scenes. Close by is the Escalier Monumental, a broad stairway of 370
steps on which stands an imposing statue of D'Artagnan the dashing and most famous of all Musketeers.
Golf de Chateau de Pallanne at Tillac-Pays de Marciac has recently been upgraded to 18 holes, providing a fabulous location as it winds around an 18c chateau with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. For two more 18 hole courses, travel west to Golf de Mont de Marsan or south to Golf de Gascogne near Masseube. If you have a few hours to spare, try the challenges of the 9 hole wooded course at Golf de Fleurance. Not to be missed is the
Pau-Billere course on the banks of the River Gave, built by the British Army in 1856 it is the oldest club in continental Europe. Lourdes Golf Club is probably one of the toughest courses in South West France, built on
the side of a mountain adjacent to Lourdes Lake, almost entirely tree lined it will test ability and stamina!
There are 60 golf courses in South West France, playable 52 weeks of the year, however it is always advisable
to contact each golf course to check facilities and availability in advance. The greens and fairways in this
welcoming corner of France are permanantly green because of the excellent temperatures and weather
conditions. Golf is quite relaxed, with courses being extremely quiet throughout the year. The journey to each
golf course (between15-60 minutes) through the beautiful Gascony countryside is a pleasure in itself, with numerous possible deviations en-route to explore a bastide or vineyard.

Watersports
There are three lakes within easy reach offering fine sandy beaches and a variety of watersports. Lac d'Uby
is a swimming lake of 80 ha (198 acres) with children's play area, wind surfing, canoeing and pedalos. Lac de Lupiac is 13 ha (32 acres) and offers supervised swimming, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, rowing and angling. Aignon has a lake surrounded by pine forests, there is supervised swimming and two slides which provide endless fun.

Restaurants Le Commerce in Nogaro is a friendly, family run restaurant which has a good selection of regional cuisine. L'Auberge, in the pretty village centre of Fources offers a good menu selection for all the family, sit outside on the terrace and watch the world go by. Auberge des Bouviers in Lectour is a lovely little restaurant. Allow for a two hour meal! La Vie en Rose, Eauze .