Discovering Gers (Department 32)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Nestled in the heart of Occitanie in south-west France, Gers (Department 32) is one of France's most peaceful and unspoilt rural departments. Often described as the very essence of the French countryside, it is known for rolling sunflower fields, vineyards, medieval bastide towns and a relaxed pace of life.
Unlike some better-known regions of France, Gers has avoided large-scale development, making it particularly attractive to people looking for authenticity, space and community rather than busy tourist destinations. Whether you're considering moving to Gers, retiring in Gers, purchasing a holiday home or starting a lifestyle business, the department offers a welcoming environment with excellent food, beautiful scenery and a high quality of life.
Gers At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Occitanie |
Historic name | Gascony (Gascogne) |
Department number | 32 |
Department capital | Auch |
Largest towns | Auch, Condom, L'Isle-Jourdain, Fleurance, Eauze, Mirande, Lectoure |
Population | Around 193,000 |
Area | Approximately 6,257 km² |
Climate | Mild oceanic climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters |
Best suited for | Retirees, remote workers, families seeking rural living, second-home owners, food lovers |
Is a car recommended? | Yes – essential in most areas |
English-speaking community | Well-established but well integrated |
Lifestyle summary | Relaxed rural living centred around food, markets, community and nature |
Why Choose Gers?
Gers appeals to people looking for a slower, more traditional French lifestyle without sacrificing modern comforts.
Lifestyle
Life revolves around local markets, cafés, village events and enjoying the outdoors. Many residents appreciate the absence of heavy traffic, overcrowding and urban stress.
The department encourages a healthy work-life balance and is particularly attractive for early retirees and those working remotely.
Community
Despite being sparsely populated, Gers has active local communities. Village associations organise festivals, sporting events and cultural activities throughout the year.
English-speaking residents are well represented, although integration into French life is generally encouraged and welcomed.
Scenery
Expect:
Rolling hills
Vineyards
Sunflower fields
Ancient villages
Rivers and lakes
Woodlands
Open countryside
The landscapes change beautifully with the seasons without dramatic mountain terrain.
Accessibility
Although rural, Gers sits between several major transport hubs.
Nearby cities include:
Toulouse
Agen
Tarbes
Pau
The Atlantic coast, the Pyrenees and Spain are all within comfortable driving distance.
Food
Food is one of Gers' greatest attractions.
The department is famous throughout France for:
Duck
Foie gras
Armagnac
Floc de Gascogne
Local wines
Garlic
Melons
Artisan cheeses
Weekly markets showcase exceptional local produce.
Culture
Gascon traditions remain strong.
Throughout the year you'll find:
Village fêtes
Music festivals
Food festivals
Traditional bandas
Agricultural shows
Medieval celebrations
The department retains a genuine rural French identity.
Property
Compared with many parts of southern France, property remains relatively affordable.
Buyers can find:
Stone farmhouses
Village homes
Renovation projects
Modern family houses
Character properties
Small vineyards
Large gardens and land are common.
Pace of Life
Life moves noticeably slower than in nearby cities.
Shops often close for lunch, Sundays remain quiet and many villages prioritise community over commerce.
Gers Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Peaceful surroundings, excellent food, welcoming communities and good quality of life. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Safe environment and good schools, although rural living means more travel. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Beautiful countryside, attractive property and year-round appeal. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Opportunities in tourism, hospitality, food, trades and online businesses. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Reliable internet in many areas, peaceful working environment and good transport links to Toulouse. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding and countryside activities abound. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Limited nightlife and shopping compared with larger cities. |
Popular Places to Live
Auch
The departmental capital combines history with practical everyday living.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Retirees
Advantages
Largest range of shops
Hospital
Schools
Restaurants
Historic centre
Things to consider
Busier than the rest of Gers.
Property prices are slightly higher.
Lectoure
A beautiful hilltop spa town with impressive architecture.
Ideal for
Retirees
Culture lovers
Second-home owners
Advantages
Attractive centre
Thermal spa
Excellent restaurants
Weekly market
Things to consider
Smaller employment market.
Condom
Despite its humorous name in English, Condom is an elegant historic town on the River Baïse.
Ideal for
Retirees
Families
Canal enthusiasts
Advantages
Attractive architecture
Marina
Good amenities
Strong community
Things to consider
Quiet outside the tourist season.
Fleurance
A lively market town known for astronomy events and good services.
Ideal for
Families
Permanent residents
Advantages
Schools
Sports facilities
Shopping
Weekly market
Things to consider
Less historic than some neighbouring towns.
L'Isle-Jourdain
Popular with commuters working in Toulouse.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Remote workers
Advantages
Rail connection
Growing economy
Modern facilities
Things to consider
Property prices are higher due to proximity to Toulouse.
Eauze
Often regarded as the historic capital of Armagnac.
Ideal for
Food lovers
Retirees
Wine enthusiasts
Advantages
Wine culture
Friendly community
Roman history
Things to consider
Limited public transport.
Mirande
A welcoming rural town famous for its country music festival.
Ideal for
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Affordable housing
Community events
Pleasant countryside
Things to consider
Smaller range of shopping.
Cost of Living
Compared with much of southern France, Gers offers good value.
Property affordability
Property remains one of the department's strongest attractions. Rural houses often provide excellent space and gardens, while village homes remain affordable compared with coastal regions or Toulouse.
Renovation opportunities are plentiful.
Shopping
Daily shopping costs are generally similar to elsewhere in France. Local markets provide excellent value for seasonal produce.
Larger supermarkets are available in the principal towns.
Utilities
Heating costs vary depending on property age and insulation. Many rural homes use oil, wood burners or heat pumps.
Modern fibre internet continues to expand across the department.
Eating Out
Restaurants often offer excellent quality at reasonable prices, particularly lunchtime menus.
Traditional family-run establishments dominate rather than chain restaurants.
General Value for Money
Overall, Gers represents excellent value for buyers seeking space, quality of life and authentic rural France.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is good considering the department's rural nature.
Main hospitals
The principal hospitals are located in:
Auch
Condom
Fleurance (local services)
Residents also access specialist care in:
Toulouse
Agen
Tarbes
Healthcare availability
Most towns have GPs, dentists, pharmacies and healthcare centres, although finding a new doctor can occasionally take time.
Access to specialists
Many specialist appointments involve travel to larger regional cities.
Pharmacies
Every sizeable town has pharmacies offering prescription services, health advice and emergency assistance.
General healthcare considerations
Those moving permanently should register with the French healthcare system as soon as eligible and arrange appropriate health cover during any transition period.
Education
Families relocating to Gers have access to a broad range of education.
Schools
Primary and secondary schools are available throughout the department.
Many villages belong to grouped school networks.
Colleges and Lycées
Larger towns provide comprehensive secondary education including vocational options.
International options
There are very few international schools within Gers itself.
Some families choose international schools in Toulouse.
Language schools
French language courses are available through local associations, adult education providers and community groups.
Getting Around
Airports
The nearest airports include:
Toulouse-Blagnac
Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées
Agen (limited services)
Pau
These provide domestic and international connections.
Rail
Rail services are limited.
The main railway station is at L'Isle-Jourdain, with connections towards Toulouse.
Nearby departments provide more extensive rail networks.
Roads
Roads are generally quiet and well maintained.
Driving between villages is pleasant, although journeys may take longer due to rural routes.
Public Transport
Regional buses exist but services are limited compared with urban areas.
Is a car recommended?
Yes.
For most residents, a car is essential for shopping, healthcare, work and leisure.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Auch | Thursday |
Condom | Wednesday |
Lectoure | Friday |
Fleurance | Tuesday |
Mirande | Monday |
Eauze | Thursday |
L'Isle-Jourdain | Saturday |
Vic-Fezensac | Friday |
Local Food & Drink
Gers is one of France's finest food-producing departments.
Local specialities include:
Foie gras
Duck confit
Magret de canard
Armagnac
Floc de Gascogne
Black garlic
Gascon beef
White beans
Croustade Gasconne
Prunes
Melons
Local honey
Artisan cheeses
Regional wines from Côtes de Gascogne
Food festivals are held throughout the year celebrating local produce.
Things to Do
Historic sites
Auch Cathedral
Medieval bastides
Ancient abbeys
Roman villas
Historic castles
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
Horse riding
Canoeing
Fishing
Golf
Hot air ballooning
Museums
Armagnac museums
Archaeological museums
Agricultural museums
Art galleries
Festivals
Jazz in Marciac
Country music festival in Mirande
Numerous village fêtes
Wine festivals
Harvest celebrations
Nature
Nature lovers enjoy:
River valleys
Lakes
Bird watching
Woodland walks
Vineyards
Rolling countryside
Family attractions
Families can enjoy:
Adventure parks
Wildlife parks nearby
Swimming lakes
Leisure centres
Farm visits
Seasonal events
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
Although English is spoken in some tourist businesses and among expatriates, daily life is much easier with a reasonable level of French.
Rural living
Many villages are small and peaceful.
You may need to travel for supermarkets, hospitals or specialist services.
Internet
Fibre broadband continues to expand rapidly and many communities now enjoy excellent internet speeds suitable for remote working.
Seasonal tourism
Unlike coastal regions, Gers experiences relatively modest tourism.
Life remains fairly consistent throughout the year.
Climate
Summers are warm and sunny, while winters are generally mild with occasional frosts.
Spring and autumn are particularly attractive.
Community life
Village life is highly community-focused.
Joining clubs, attending markets and participating in local events is one of the best ways to settle into the area.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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