We are 'on the river Baise' ... lots to do.. "Vue de Vallee" (Valley View) Apartment-style French gite with a view, Valence sur Baïse, Gascony, South-west France
Valence sur Baise varied (and rare) plant and wild life.. music is alive and well in the area.. The 'gers' (or 'gascony') region where we are located (in green) - click to Location/Map page..
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Local Activities & Places of Interest in Valence sur Baïse and the surrounding Gascony area..
[Click to map of the region here]

On the outskirts of Valence is one of the region’s most distinguished buildings, the Abbaye de Flaran, a centre for cultural events from art exhibitions to concerts. Constructed in the 12th century, it has been beautifully restored and carries a permanent exhibition of the pilgrim routes to St. James de Compestella in Northern Spain. The town was founded jointly by the Comte d’Armagnac and l’Abbé de Flaran in 1274 primarily to assist the Abbaye with accommodation and help for the large number of pilgrims. Much of the old defensible walling still exists (the Remparts) and the raised location of the main town makes for splendid views from vantage points to the Pyrénées across the beautiful countryside. Pathways enable one to walk round the Remparts (which are floodlit at night), often built onto the base rock, with ‘prickly pears’ hanging down. The town can be entered on foot via one of the original gateways, the ‘Porte d’Hérisson’. From the Place des Pyrénées one can descend to the port by means of the Botanical Pathway which zig zags down the hill.

Abbaye de Flaran, the galleries..
Abbey de Flaran
The Pyrenees
Majestic Pyrenees

Organised activities

Valance sur Baïse holds its annual three day fete in June, with a small fair, market stalls, music and dancing free until the early hours of the morning. One afternoon features an exciting heat of the Tour de France making some 40 circuits of the town, while another afternoon is devoted to horse racing. July 14th is important and commences with ‘petit dejeuner’ being provided by the town to all who care to participate. The day is marked with a display of threshing (in the old way) outside the church, an ox cart for rides, and often period cars. No payment required. Market stalls sell local produce including boar sausage, honey, cheeses and wines, and dried flowers. The day finishes with a grand firework display viewed from the Remparts followed by onion soup and an aperitif in the square. All with the compliments of Valence – something to show for our local taxes! During the year one may find a circus has arrived in the square outside of the ‘Salle des Fetes’.

There may be a concert down by the river or in the church. Traditional games are played in this square at least one a week during ‘the season’. Valence sur Baïse, in common with many of the towns, supports its own band which enlivens many of the events. It also has a flourishing basketball team with its own stadium. As with Valence sur Baïse, each town or village holds its own fête during the summer.
The cultural life of Gascony is such that everyone can enjoy something. Valence sur Baïse is a convenient base to explore the many attractions of this fascinating area of France. The Chateau de Lavardens, 20 minutes drive away, hosts prodigious and prestigious exhibitions each year. 2004 had a major display of the works of the Spanish artist Dali. 2005 had ‘The Little Prince’ by the author and aviator St. Exupery, who disappeared whilst flying on a mission between Corsica and France during the 2nd World War. The Gascons expect people to respect their environment. You can, of course, do nothing except sit on the terrace after a lunch, perhaps with a good book. A stroll round the Remparts, the Boulevard du Nord and the Botanical Walk will provide superb views and the local flora can be examined. An armagnac or coffee in the square or down by the river can provide a good end to an evening.

Chateau de Lavardens
Chateau de Lavardens
9 km boat cruises run between Condom (this picture) to from Valence sur Baise
Boat cruises run between Condom (shown) and Valence sur Baise
The elegant towns of Condom (10 mins) and the Auch of d’Artagnan (25 mins) are not to be missed.
9 km boat cruises run each way between Condom and Valence sur Baise - from Condom you can walk in
minutes to Condom's pretty town centre and market, or across the bridge to some lovely riverside parkland and on to a brand new outdoor leisure pool (flumes etc) facility.
There are so many towns and villages in the Gers, each with their own individuality, from the garlic growing and festival at St. Clar to the jazz festival at Marciac, from the Country Music at Mirande, to the bull fights at Vic Fezensac [Noted for information only – John & Barbara do not support bull-fighting].
Food and drink are the essentials of Gers life, but do remember that lunch starts at 12 noon and servings finish usually at 2pm. Sunday lunch is very popular with the residents and therefore a reservation is a good idea. Evening meals may commence at about 7pm. Many restaurants and small shops will be closed on Mondays. As the region is famous for its foie gras, this is likely to feature on menus. Also the magret or confit of duck are well featured. Specifically vegetarian options are not common, but careful searching of menus or special requests to chefs can produce pleasing surprises. ‘Menu’ will indicate a set meal at a set price. Evening meals tend to be more elaborate and even the best are not expensive by UK standards. Wine is produced locally and is most acceptable.

Floc (a mixture of grape juice and armagnac) is the famous local aperitif, found in white or red. For a special treat try Pousse Rapiere, a local beverage produced by the Chateau at St. Puy (7km). Add it to the sparkling wine that they also produce, consume and then .. sit down!
From April onwards the towns commence with their Vide Greniers (“loft emptyings” or car boot sales without the cars) and their annual fêtes. Thus almost every weekend has one to offer. Vide Greniers vary in size but normally all have some food available and often music. The fêtes follow various forms but normally have local produce for sale and events throughout the day, often culminating in a dance late on. That at Montréal (19km, pronounced “Monrayall”) has a medieval theme so the townfolk are happy to provide everyone with a free costume.

Other Activities

Marciac Jazz Festival
Marciac Jazz Festival
  • Bull Fighting: several towns – Vic Fezensac (14km) being the nearest, have bull rings. There is an annual bull fair at Pentecost extending for a week.
  • Festivals: The list of festivals in the region extends to over 100 pages. Music Companies of touring musicians give concerts in the towns. Simple open air affairs with which one can join at one’s will. The other extreme is a week long jazz festival at Marciac (50km) and a Country and Western festival at Mirande (43km).
    At almost every outdoor event of substance, inevitably some live music will be featured. The churches and cathedrals feature concerts throughout the year. As does the Abbeye de Flaran.
  • Boat Trips: Starting from Condom (9km) sometimes from Valence, a boat may be taken along the river Baïse. Meals are provided on board. Or you can hire your own boat. Interesting and leisurely journey via the locks. 
  • Canoeing: from Bancaire (6km) You can hire a small or large canoe and all necessary clothing and equipment here, and lazily paddle from here or further upstream, down to the little river port at Valence sur Baise. The company send a safety guide with you and either take you back by bus to get your car from the hamlet, or just take the canoe back without you, if you want to walk home from the port it's just 10 mins up a wooded path to our gite back door..
  • Horse Racing: Trotting style with a two wheeled light frame ‘caleche’ is popular. Valence sur Baïse actually has its own racecourse and there is an afternoon event with prize money up to 13,000 euros per race. Stages in the national heats and thus other events may be found locally.
  • Flying: There is a tiny airfield near the pretty village of Herret (6km). Just small aircraft and micro-lights, but you can have a lesson. Larger airfield and lessons at Auch (33km).
  • ‘Armagnac’ Brandy: Find a driver and one can take a tour of the Armagnac houses. 21 within a short distance. You will require a driver if you visit and participate in ‘degustation’ at each. The Armagnac-producing chateau at Cassaigne (4km) welcomes visitors and one can make a free tour.
  • Pretty Village: Larressingle (10km) a tiny walled village (known as the mini Carcassonne of the Gers) has medieval siege engines with working displays during the summer.
  • Swimming and Sunbathing: Within ten minutes drive there is an excellent freshwater lake at Castera Verduzan (10km) with a beach, water chute and plenty of space. Swimming and boating is possible, as well as snacks etc. There is a small charge for entry. Slightly further afield is the very large, circular pool at Gondrin (13km)- a more formal type of outdoor pool, but it has plenty of room, includes a shallow section for toddlers, and it is surrounded by grass and trees. A café on site supplies snacks and drinks. Again a modest entry fee. The lake at Montréal is free to enter, with a beach, grass and trees. One has to pay a little to go down the large circular chute. Ice creams and drinks available, and sometimes, a melon stall in season. There is a small charge for entry.
  • An attractive outdoor leisure multi-pool has recently opened at Condom, complete with flumes, grassed picnic areas, good parking etc. It is within short walking distance of the port area, and linked via Condom's riverside parkland area.
  • Golf: Auch has an interesting course, being somewhat hilly. The club house restaurant - with spectacular views to the Pyrénées - provides a most splendid (inexpensive) lunch for members or non-members.
  • Sport: Rugby is the game of the Gascons. The headines of the Sunday papers will feature the result of the previous day’s match. Auch (30 mins) is the centre for the Gers but Agen is just 45 minutes drive away. Basketball is a close second and, as mentioned, Valence sur Baise has its own indoor stadium. At a more recreational level, a complex game of skittles (Palets) and Quilles – metal discs spun to knock over a posts – are played in most towns or villages on a weekly basis. Not forgetting Boule. The skittles emit a musical note when they fall – a pleasant sound in the air on a warm evening.
  • Riding: Several centres are within easy reach.
  • Walking: Starting with Valence sur Baïse, a tour of the Remparts is interesting, locating the old wall of the town. The roads are generally quiet and other pathways exist. The Abbaye at Flaran provides a detailed large wall map of the routes of St. Jaques de Compostella.
In the centre of Condom town.. Among the wild life it is here you would find the Scarce Swallowtail (iphiclides podalirius) A lovely Creperie in nearby Condom .. Canoeing in nearby Bancaire, where you can hire a canoe (small or large) all your safety equipment and a guide if you wish

Much to See...

Within 30 minutes drive:

Musée des Jacobins – Auch (33km);
Chateau de Lavardens – Lavardens (18km);
Abbeye de Flaran - Valance sur Baïse;
Canoeing from Bancaire – Bancaire (6km);
Musée des Preservatifs – Condom (9km);
Seviac Roman Villa – Montréal (19km);
St. Pierre Collegiate - La Romieu (19km). Apart from the Collegiate, the town has an interesting story about cats and stone representations may be found, if one searches, in all sorts of places. There is a private arboretum nearby holding a national collection which is worth a visit.
The Spa Castera Verduzan (10km) Treat yourself for about 10 euros. A proper spa with mineral water, pool with aqua jets, sauna, hamman and chairs in which to laze outside to recover. It is also possible to have a massage - around 20 euro;
Bleu de Lectoure - Lectoure (28km) The history of a blue dye, woad. It produces some subtle effects with fabrics. There are guided tours of the functioning dye works and a boutique in town selling items coloured using the dye. The bastide town itself is worth a visit with plenty of places for coffee and food;
Musée du Tresor d’Eauze - Eauze (25km) - Hoard of Roman Coins.

Within 45 minutes drive:

Musée des Beaux Arts – Agen (47km);

Day Trips:-

Lourdes (117km),
Bordeaux (175km),
Carcassonne (201km),
Biarritz (200km),
Toulouse (97km),
Pau (136km),
Albi (220km), Museum of Toulouse Lautrec,
The Pyrénées and Spain.
Golfing nearby.. Glorious architecture.. Valence sur Baïse actually has its own racecourse .. horse riding is very popular here .. The river Baise just below Vue de Vallee, a peaceful and rich haven of wildlife
  Copyright © John Taylor & Barbara Jackson, Valley View Gite