The Gers is a beautiful, unspoilt and scarcely populated area of France, enjoying hot summers and warm spring and autumn. It is one of the most agricultural areas of France, untouched by heavy industry and mass tourism, and is an ideal place to sample the delights of 'real' French country life. Amidst the breathtaking scenery is an abundance of wildlife - eagles, buzzards, a variety of owls, woodpeckers, kingfishers, deer and wild boar can regularly be seen.

Formerly known as Gascony, the region was ruled by England for over 300 years between 1154 and 1475, when Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry ll and it was given to the English Crown as part of her dowry. Many bastide towns and villages with donjons (fortified towers) were built to defend against raids by the French. A large number exist today and can be readily explored amidst rolling wooded hills and valleys filled with sunflowers and maize. One of the most well-known Gascons is D'Artagnan (Dumas' Three Musketeers) who was born in Auch in 1615 and became Captain of the King's Guards.

The area is well known for its culinary specialities; duck, foie gras and Armagnac feature strongly, as well as Floc de Gascogne, Madiran and St Mont wines produced locally. The area has many lakes with beaches for swimming and other water sports. Many of the villages hold fetes or festivals in summer and there are regular night markets in Vic Fezensac and Aire sur L'Adour. Marciac hosts an international jazz festival in August and there is motor racing at the Nogaro circuit.