Gascony, or Gascogne in French, is a culturally rich and distinct region located in the southwestern part of France, renowned for its unique blend of history, gastronomy, and picturesque landscapes. This cultural region mainly covers the political departments of Gers, Landes, Hautes-Pyrénées and parts of Lot-et-Garonne.
The landscapes of Gascony are characterized by rolling hills, vineyards, and sunflower fields, creating a picturesque backdrop that has inspired artists and writers for centuries.
Historically, Gascony played a significant role in medieval Europe, producing legendary figures such as the musketeer d’Artagnan, immortalized in Alexandre Dumas “The Three Musketeers”. You can still visit the statue of d’Artagnan and the three musketeers in Condom today.
A younger example is the 2001 film ‘Chocolat’ starring Juliette Binoche, which is set in Nérac in the traditional chocolaterie La Cigale.
The region’s charming villages with their medieval architecture add to the timeless allure of Gascony. Seventeen of the 175 most beautiful villages in France, “Les plus beaux villages de France”are located in this region, such as Monflanquin, Penne-d’Agenais, La Romieu or Fourcès.
