Location:
Positioned outside this typically styled and quiet old French village with local shops, restaurants and tennis in Estang 5 min drive. More shops and an excellent golf course in Eauze, market town and capital of the Armagnac region, 20 km. Nogaro 15km. provides additional choice together with its light aero club and formula two race track. The quiet country roads, profusion of roadside restaurants and bars, the French laid back attitude to life and fantastic scenery make visiting and traveling the area a pleasure. Follow the d’Artagnan trail to Aignan, sample the local wines and Armagnac, savour the renowned cuisine, perhaps finishing at Lupiac 35 km, with d’Artagnan centre. While away a day in the historic Bastide villages of Fourcès, Montreal and Larressingle. There is Course Landaise (heifer-running) - no cruelty, only fun – locally in Estang, Eauze, Nogaro or Vic-Fezensac 37 km. A strong Spanish influence pervades the region; the unique mix of culture is evident & fascinating.
Things to do:
Try the many fetes though-out the holiday season together with music festivals including the internationally acclaimed Jazz festival at Marciac (1st 2 weeks in August) The country and western festival at Mirande and Pentecote at Vic Fezansac with its International Salsa Festival in July. There are many local markets and regular night markets where the locals buy, dance and party through the night. Golf – Mature 18 hole golf course with practice drive, putting greens, restaurant, bar and swimming pools at Guinlet, Eauze 15 mins by car. Within 15 mins drive there are 3 lakes for leisurely walks, for the more energetic two have sandy beaches, play areas, swimming and water-sports. The majestic mountains of the Pyrenees 90 mins by car. Superb for touring with walks and picnics in the summer, spectacular scenery and of course good skiing in the winter at the resorts of La Mongie, Cauterets and Formigal. Visit Lourdes, shop or coffee in the beautiful and historic centres of Auch and Pau.
More to do:
Gascon festivals: Vic-Fezensac: the Tempo Latino festival takes place over three days and nights around the bullring and streets of this normally sleepy little town around the third week in July. Salsa in the street to the sounds of Cuban bands in a wild but well-behaved atmosphere. Details: 00 33 5 62 06 56 66, tempo-latino Marciac: The International Jazz Festival, from around August 1-15, attracts stars from all over the world. Last year they ranged from the pianist Oscar Peterson to the Cuban vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer. Real enthusiasts attend the daily concerts, but many just come along to sip a cool beer and hear the jam sessions held in the beautiful square. DETAILS: 62 09 33 33; GETTING HERE: Ryanair (0871-246 0000 ryanair) from Stansted to Pau, return flights from £26.99.· GUIDE BOOK: Lonely Planet, £11.99.South West France (ISBN 1 86450 382 3), MORE INFO: French National Tourist Office.
Other Activities:
Motor sport - events and opportunities to practise your sport @ Nogaro race circuit
