From Toulouse to Auch

The European museum of campanile art is quite unique in Europe. It was inaugurated in 1994 and is housed in a former 19th century grain market which is now listed as historical monument. You will see a lot of beautiful bells of course.
Open hours 10:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 18:00 Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The foie gras is maybe the most famous local specialty in Gers and is one of the most famous product in French gastronomy. So if you visit this region, you have to see and taste what it is. Here, they will explain you how it is made and you will be able to buy a lot of duck products.
Open hours 9:00 – 17:00 Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

The decoration of this restaurant is inspired by a Parisian bistro with local specialties from Gers. I recommend the "Plaisirs" menu, the foie gras and duck magret are incredible (have it rare) and the desserts are so unique you should try.
Open hours 8:00 – 23:00. You can leave your car here and keep visiting the rest of the city on foot.

The cathedral of Auch is located on the main square of the city. It has a very beautiful façade. The interior is amazing as well especially with its famous oak stalls in the choir.
Open hours 9:30 – 12:30, 14:00 – 18:00 Sunday 14:00 – 18:00.
On this main square, you will also find the tourism office, they will give you maps and recommendations on how to visit Auch, but the views of the square from the upper floor of the office itself are great.

The museum of the Jacobins housed in the monastery of the Jacobins is now called the museum of the Americas - Auch. This museum showcases more than 400 pieces of pre-Colombian art from the Americas. It is the second biggest collection for this kind of art after the museum of Quai Branly in Paris. There is also a big collection of Latin-American sacred art. The museum has also a big part for local history from Antiquity to 20th century with different artefacts. It is the best museum in the region.
Open hours 10:00 – 12:15, 14:30 – 17:15.

This monumental staircase connects the city on the upper side with the riverside. Go down the stairs and don't miss the statue of the famous musketeer d'Artagnan who is from this region. You will visit later in the trip his native village and you will several of his statues in this route.

From the bottom of the stairs, you are right by the river Gers. You can cross the bridge and basically you are already on the Promenade Claude Desbons. It is a very pleasant wakling path along the river which you can only use by foot or bicycle. And you get beautiful views of the city of Auch. You can just walk across the bridge to take a nice picture of the city or you can do the whole promenade which is 4 kilometers one way, it is an easy flat walk and takes about one hour. Up to you. And you can take a different bridge to go back to the city center.

Have dinner at this amazing restaurant inside the hotel. The Chef has worked in several Michelin stars restaurants.
Open hours 12:00 – 14:00, 19:45 – 23:00.

Today you are sleeping in the main town of the department of Gers. So if you feel like going to a bar for a drink, you will find several options on the main square close by the hotel. The next days, you will be staying in much smaller towns or the countryside.