Accommodation in Gascony, SW France - La Petite Gensac

The two apartments are within the grand house of Hotel de Gensac. Built around 1735 this 'hotel particulier' (private mansion) is one of the historical and architecturally important houses of the town. During the Hundred Years' War, King Edward III installed his son as the administrator of this region of France. Known later by the sobriquet 'The Black Prince', the ruins of his palace chapel still remain as part of the mansion's fabric, helping to warrant its inclusion on one of the town's historic-sites walks.

Leave the apartments by their secure private gate and you are immediately in the typically Gascon town of Condom - rich in history, ancient buildings, museums and Roman artifacts. It is dominated by the magnificent cathedral of Saint-Pierre and dissected by the River Baise, still with the quays once used to load barges with Armagnac brandy en route to Bordeaux. Restaurants and cafes abound to suit all tastes and pockets. Good shops and a twice-weekly market are very close by for all self catering needs.

Just outside the town lies the beautiful countryside of The Gers - the very heart of Gascony. No suburbs, no industry, just gently rolling, well farmed fields and woodland interspersed with Bastide villages, fortified towns, ancient religeous buildings, Chateaux and Gallo-Roman sites. They are all here to be savoured and enjoyed by those with an interest in history and an appreciation of countryside, culture, architecture, good eating and, above all, a joie de vive

Condom is a delightful, small town on the River Baise and business centre for the Armagnac industry. There are two supermarkets on the outskirts, with many great little shops and restaurants in the town centre, and markets on Wednesday and Saturday. Eauze, 20 - 25 mins, has the largest and best market in the region, on Thursday. Three of France's officially listed 'most beautiful villages' are within 20 - 30 minutes drive, there are lakes for fishing, many excellent golf courses, the river Baise for boating, water parks, including Parc Walibi, a major theme park 35 minutes away, museums galore, Armagnac chateaux and wine producers to visit. In the summer in particular, the region is alive with festivals, concerts, and exhibitions. Year round, the Gers is perfect walking country and the main St Jacques de Compostela pilgrim route runs through the town.. And of course the area attracts cyclists, so BYO, or hire them from the cycle hire shop in Condom. Painters and photographers are drawn to the Gers for its beauty, enchanting little bastide (fortified) villages and clear air. Foodies will be spoilt for choice: Condom's open- air market in the main square on Wednesdays, its covered market on Saturdays and local markets trading somewhere nearby every day of the week.There is a surprising number of excellent restaurants within walking distance of the Apartments with many more within a 30 minutes drive.

To check availability please call us on 0033 (0)5 62 68 09 78

Weekly tariffs for the two apartments Cathedrale and Studio:

CATHEDRALE:
Low season: 1 Nov - 31 March €550
Mid season: 1 Apr - 31 May / 1 Oct - 31 Oct €750
High season: 1 June - 30 Sept €900

STUDIO:
Low season: 1 Nov - 31 March €300
Mid season: 1 Apr - 31 May / 1 Oct - 31 Oct €400
High season: 1 June - 30 Sept €550

Nightly rate: CATHEDRALE €150 | STUDIO €90

Cash and cheques only. We regret that this accommodation is not suitable for children or pets.

Condom and the surrounding area.

The Gers is the central department of Gascony in the Midi-Pyrenees, located just north of the central Pyrenees and since Napoleon times has been named after the Gers river which runs north-south through the department.

Where to go / What to see:

Condom - The capital of the Tenareze Armagnac region. It is a beautiful town centred around the Cathedral of St Pierre. The Cathedral is stunning inside and the Armagnac museum is definitely worth a visit. It is a port on the river Baise and boat trips are available daily during the season. There is also a good market on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Auch - Two of the many attractions in Auch are the Cathedral of Saint Marie (with beautiful carved choir stalls) and the staircase to the river with the statue of d'Artagnan half way down. Also museums, art galleries and an 18 hole golf course are just outside the town.

La Romieu - An ancient ecclesiastical town with an imposing 14th century collegiate church. Nearby there is a famous arboretum.

Lavardens - A beautiful chateau set high on a hill, which has guided visits and frequent art exhibitions.

Larressingle - A 13th century fortified village, the smallest in France (the so-called Carcassonne of the Gers). The museum shows reconstructions of life in the Middle Ages and the Park Museum houses medieval machines of war.

Lectoure - A Gallo-Roman city, famous for its melons, with many interesting buildings to see and several museums.

Fources - The only circular walled bastide town in the Gers it is listed as one of the prettiest villages in France and renouned locally for its springtime flower fair.

Valence-sur-Baise - A 12th century bastide village and river port. Nearby is the Abbaye de Flaran, a magnificent 12th century Cistercian abbey.

Marciac - A 13th century Gascon bastide town, famous for its International Jazz Festival held here every August. Nearby are the fortified villages of Tillac and Monlezun.

Bassoues - A pretty bastide village, with a 43metre high keep, amasterpiece of Gascon military art.Montesequiou - A fortified village on the Route de Bastides through the Gers.

Mirande - The lovely square in this bastide town has a Country and Western festival each July. The Cathedral is considered to be a Gothic masterpiece. There is also a museum of fine arts and decorative arts.

Montreal (incl Seviac) - A 13th century Gascon bastide village. There is a Gallo-Roman museum with guided visits. Nearby is Seviac, a 4th century Gallo-Roman villa, which has been extensively excavated during recent years.

Saint Clar - A unique bastide town with two 13th century squares with arches. There is also a famous garlic market selling white garlic from Lomagne.

Market Days:
Condom - Wednesday and Saturday
Auch - Saturday and Thursday morning
Castera-Verduzan - Sunday morning
Eauze - Thursday
Fleurance - Tuesday
Valence-sur-Baise - Wednseday morning
Vic-Fezensac - Friday morning