Serving as the historical capital of Gascony, Auch is a riverfront city that centres around the steeply sloping streets of the Haute-Ville. It’s famed for its cathedral, which is a pilgrimage stop on the Camino de Santiago and stands adjacent to a tower museum overflowing with religious treasures.
Things to do in Auch
In the heart of Auch is the Cathedrale Sainte-Marie, a 16th-century monument that combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. It houses a magnificent organ and 113 choir stalls carved from oak, as well as 18 stained-glass windows crafted by the master glassmaker, Arnaud de Moles. Religious artworks and artefacts are housed in the Cathedral Treasury, which occupies the dungeons of the Tour d’Armagnac.
Another museum not to miss is the Musée des Jacobins, which lies hidden in the Haute-Ville. It boasts the largest collection of pre-Columbian artwork in France, including gold work, textiles and ceramics from Mexico and Peru. A highlight of the collection is the Mass of St. Gregory, a feather mosaic dating from 1539. Surrounding the museum is a tranquil garden planted with species collected by the Conquistadors.
Hugging the right bank of the River Gers is a sprawling parkland where you can walk, jog or cycle while enjoying the city sights. There are plenty of benches where you can relax and grassy lawns for kicking back with a good book. Twice a week, Auch hosts a produce market selling locally-made cheese, charcuterie and pastries.
Getting around Auch
Auch is just over an hour’s drive from Toulouse and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Auch railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Auch is compact enough to explore on foot.