ACTIVITIES

Situated in the heart of Gascony, in the open countryside, Auberge Le Florida is close to the finest local farmers, producers, bakers, artists and artisans… Men and women anchored in their land, proud of their traditions and their skills.

Great addresses

Antique shop – Un coin du passé  Run by my uncle, Didier Gefflaut, for over 30 years, there are treasures and antiques he has found all over the region. Take your time, and delve into every corner. Porcelain, old dolls and books, eighteenth century earthenware, copper, paintings, antique linen… everything to add to the charm of your own home. 

13, avenue Claude Bordenave, Castéra-Verduzan. Two minutes away on foot. Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6.30pm. 

Flea market – Le Village des brocs  You drive through Lectoure, a village perched high on a hill surrounded by fortifications. Stop to see the cathedral, and the ancient site of the Château des Comtes d’Armagnac, which was turned into a hospital in the eighteenth century, and where there are about 30 antique dealers in the galleries, arcades and chapel. 

127 Cours d’Armagnac, Lectoure. Half an hour away by car. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm to 7pm.

CeramicsAtelier Christiane Fitzpatrick  On the hill in Gouget, this internationally known ceramicist has paid tribute to and reinterpreted Gascon earthenware for over 50 years. Her ceramics are also on sale at the Musée européen d’art campanaire in L’Isle Jourdain.  

Le Gouget-La Clé des champs, Jegun. Eight minutes away by car. By appointment only. Tel. 05 62 64 57 23.

Exhibition – Château de Lavardens Stronghold of the Counts of Armagnac, this seventeenth century château perched on a rocky promontory has an exceptional view over the countryside, and regularly hosts exhibitions of art and craft. A stroll through the village, one of the prettiest in France, is well worthwhile.

Lavardens. Ten minutes away by car. Open from Tuesday to Sunday. 

Art and heritage – The Abbaye de Flaran  This seventeenth century Cistercian abbey and its gardens are a real gem. And apart from that, Michael Simonov (a regular Florida client)’s art collection of 300 paintings and sculptures from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries displayed there includes work by Chagall, Monet, Picasso, Renoir and Rodin.

Valence-sur-Baïse. Ten minutes away by car. Open every day.

Regional specialities – Maison Tête. An address to treasure for anyone who wants to take home magret, foie gras or cassoulet. Pierre Garros works exclusively with local farmers – and he sells my favourite duck sausage with foie gras.

Zone Artisanale Jamon, Valence-sur-Baïse. Ten minutes away by car. Open from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 1230 and from 2 to 6.30pm. Saturday from 8.30am to 1230 .

Domaine Entras vineyards – Since 1964, the Maestrojuans have produced Côtes de Gascogne, Floc de Gascogne, Armagnacs-Ténarèze… and Moutarde de Gascogne! Concentrated Ugny white grape must and crushed Brassica nigra mustard seed, give a sweet, spicy, brown mustard, whose authenticity and simplicity reflect the riches of the region.            

Ayguetinte. Six minutes away by car. Open every day but Sunday.

Seasonal produce – Castéra-Verduzan market. It’s a tradition. The Sunday market attracts the  best producers in the region. Among the finest are de Pierre and Béatrice Serniguet who have been selling their croustade à l’Armagnac there for four years now, and Monique Cazaubon whose gâteau à la broche, and M. and Mme. Souron’s raw milk farmhouse cheeses are from the Pyrenees. 

Rue du Parc and Place Odilon-Lannelongue, Castéra-Verduzan. Sunday mornings. 

Relaxation – The Castéra-Verduzan  Base de loisirs. A fine sand beach, a skatepark, toboggans for children, padel… the Castéra-Verduzan lake is a stretch of spring water to bathe in, a family paradise. 

Rue du Lac, Castéra-Verduzan. Five minutes away on foot. Open all year round. Life guards and activities in July and August.

Experiences

Looking for adventure? Auberge Le Florida is at your disposal and can organise new, memorable escapades.

A walking tour of the village – Explore a historic village along country paths, discover an eighteenth century church, sweeping views of the Pyrenees, and the charm of the Gersois countryside.

A trip in a hot-air balloon – Incredible views over the hills of the Gers and the Hautes-Pyrénées, the finest landmarks, villages and châteaux seen from above… all waiting for you on board Guy and his sons Thomas and Vincent’s hot-air balloons. Les Montgolfières de Gascogne. From 235€ per person. www.montgolfieres-gascogne.fr

Fly on a Microlight – Fasten your seatbelts. Take off in a MIcrolight, an ultralight motorised biplane. It’s a big thrill to fly over breathtaking scenery – 360°views  – and it’s safe with a great sense of freedom. From 65€. www.cap-adrenaline.com

Les Thermes de Castéra-Verduzan – As well as medical treatment – the spa waters of Castéra-Verduzan heal sore throats, buccal-lingual imbalance and digestive problems – the spa has a pool and wellbeing activities for every generation, such as water aerobics, aquabiking and Palper-Rouler massage. www.thermes-castera.gers.fr

Festivals

A land of culture, le Gers has festivals for every season.

Jazz in Marciac (late-July to mid-August). Acclaimed worldwide, this is the August jazz festival, attracting more and more people from everywhere. During the day, the main square of the village of Marciac is occupied by the Jazz Off Festival which is free, and in the evenings there are concerts by the best-known  jazz musicians in the world in a giant tent that can hold 10,000 people. Fifty minutes away by car. https://jazzinmarciac.com

Tempo Latino at Vic-Fezensac (end of July). Four days jours and four nights of Latin and Afro-Cuban music, salsa and hip-hop. Live concerts in the bullring, frenzied dancing and workshops. Fifteen minutes away by car www.tempo-latino.com 

Festival de l’Astronomie in Fleurance (beginning of August). Launched in 1991, this is now one of the most important events of French astronomy, aimed at adults as well as children, an annual gathering of astronomical scientists and experts. The astrophysicist Hubert Reeves attends regularly. Twenty minutes away by car. http://www.festival-astronomie.com

L’été photographique de Lectoure (mid-July to mid-September). A contemporary photography festival held in all Lectoure’s historic sites with lectures, concerts, conferences, films and performances. Twenty-five minutes away by car. www.centre-photo-lectoure.fr

Éclats de voix in Auch (mid-June). A joy for music lovers, who will rejoice in the mystic notes of a choir, the swing of a vocal group or the pure voice of Barbara Hendricks or Beatrice Uria Monzon – the magic of music in the inspiring settings of Auch. Twenty minutes away by car. http://www.eclatsdevoix.com

CIRCa Auch (mid-October). An international circus festival, Circa hosts about 20 shows from the most important circuses, circus schools and troupes in the world. Workshops for children, exhibitions, photos, films and meetings with the artists. Twenty minutes away by car. www.circa.auch.fr

2 rue du Lac – 32410 Castéra-Verduzan

Mail : info@lefloridagascony.fr

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