Property & Lifestyle in the Gers

A gentle, sunlit corner of Gascony where space, peace, and old-world charm come naturally

If the main article on the Gers reveals its personality, then the property and lifestyle landscape shows you how it feels to live here — the rhythm of the seasons, the homes that dot the countryside, and the tranquil routines that shape daily life. The Gers offers something rare in modern France: a place where the land is generous, the people genuine, and time still seems to stretch out slowly.

Here, rolling hills cradle old farmhouses, vineyards climb warm slopes, and bastide towns hum softly with community. It is a department that quietly fulfils the dream many expats hold: rural beauty, village life, and homes with character — all without losing the essentials of comfort, culture, or connection.

A Property Market Defined by Space, Sunlight, and Character

The Gers is one of the least densely populated departments in France — which means property here often comes with space, views, tranquillity, and a sense of freedom that’s becoming harder to find elsewhere.

What You’ll Find

🔸 Traditional Gascon Farmhouses (Fermes Gasconnes)Built in honey-coloured stone with terracotta roofs, these are the jewels of the Gers. Some come with inner courtyards, timber beams, and large barns. They often sit on generous plots, offering privacy and panoramic views over patchwork countryside.

🔸 Stone Village HousesIn towns like Lectoure, Condom, Marciac, Fleurance, and Eauze, you’ll find charming village homes with thick stone walls, cool interiors, and shutters painted in soft blues and greens. Many are walking distance to shops, bakeries, and weekly markets.

🔸 Manoirs and Country EstatesElegant and often grand, these character properties suit buyers looking for a long-term project, an equestrian base, a bed-and-breakfast, or simply a home with a touch of Gascon nobility.

🔸 Barn RenovationsHuge potential lies in the many barns scattered across the Gers. With high ceilings, rustic beams, and vast footprints, they offer the canvas for dream contemporary-rural conversions.

🔸 Modern Homes with LandNewer builds exist too, often on the edges of towns, blending practical layouts with the region’s peaceful environment.

Typical Features

• Long southern views over vineyards or farmland

• Exposed stone walls and ancient timbers

• Large courtyards or gardens

• Wells, outbuildings, or bread ovens

• Generous land — from 2,000 m² up to several hectares

• Quiet roads with minimal traffic noise

The Gers feels “wide-open”, with homes rarely crammed together. Privacy comes naturally here.

Affordability and Value for Money

Compared with its neighbours — Lot-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, and the Haute-Pyrénées — the Gers remains refreshingly affordable.

You can expect:

• Character homes at lower prices than in the Dordogne or the Lot

• Larger plots for the same budget

• Excellent renovation opportunities

• Space and tranquillity baked into the price

For many expats, the Gers delivers that elusive combination: a countryside lifestyle without a countryside price tag.

Where Expats Love to Live

Expats are drawn to particular pockets of the Gers, each with its own charm.

Lectoure

Bright, elegant, artistic, and full of life. Popular with Brits, Dutch, and English-speaking professionals. Cafés, galleries, a spa, and antique shops give it a refined but relaxed atmosphere.

Condom & Surrounding Villages

Armagnac country, warm stone houses, and a strong community feel. Villages like Montréal-du-Gers and Larressingle are postcard-perfect.

Marciac

The jazz capital of Gascony. Quiet most of the year, it transforms every August during its world-famous festival. Plenty of rural properties nearby.

Eauze

Roman heritage, sunshine, and the heart of Gascon vineyards. Great weekly market.

Auch

For those wanting urban convenience but still a soft, provincial pace.

Vic-Fezensac & Mirande

Festivals, friendly locals, and countryside homes at very attractive prices.

Lifestyle: Slow, Sunny, and Deeply Authentic

Life in the Gers moves gently, shaped by agriculture, tradition, and outdoor living. This is a department where seasons matter, village markets are central to life, and locals genuinely take the time to talk.

A Climate for Outdoor Living

The Gers enjoys a warm, southern climate with:

• Long, hot summers

• Golden autumns

• Mild, bright springs

• Winters cooler but rarely harsh

This makes it perfect for gardening, dining outdoors, vineyard walks, cycling, and enjoying France’s famed “southwest sunshine.”

Markets and Local Produce

Weekly markets are a highlight, brimming with:

• Foie gras

• Duck confit

• Melon de Lectoure

• Local cheeses

• Honey, walnuts, figs, and orchard fruit

• Wines of the Côtes de Gascogne

• Armagnac, the pride of the region

Food is more than nourishment here — it’s heritage, community, and identity.

A Rich Cultural Calendar

Despite its peaceful pace, the Gers offers an impressive programme of events:

• Jazz in Marciac — one of Europe’s finest festivals

• Ferias in Vic-Fezensac — colourful and lively

• Antiques fairs in Lectoure

• Night markets through summer

• Medieval celebrations in tiny bastide villages

• Armagnac tasting routes across the department

There is always something happening, even if it feels blissfully unhurried.

Health, Community, and Quality of Life

The Gers consistently ranks as one of the healthiest and longest-living areas of France.

The lifestyle is relaxed, the food is wholesome, and stress levels are low. Expats often remark on:

• A strong sense of belonging

• Genuine neighbourliness

• Good local healthcare

• Safe towns and villages

• An abundance of walking and cycling routes

• A feeling of space, both physically and emotionally

This is the kind of place where you learn to exhale again.

Is the Gers Right for You?

Choose the Gers if you dream of:

• Peaceful countryside living

• A slower, more intentional lifestyle

• Wide-open views and star-filled skies

• A charming home with historic character

• Affordable prices and renovation potential

• Community without crowds

• Sunshine, food, wine, and Gascon warmth

It is particularly suited to retirees, remote workers, creatives, families wanting space, and anyone seeking a calm, nature-connected way of life.

A Last Word

The Gers doesn't shout for attention — it gently wins your heart. Homes come with views that stretch for miles, villages hum with authenticity, and life takes on a softness that many expats crave but rarely find.

If your dream is a beautiful house in a beautiful landscape, at a pace that feels humane and restorative, then the Gers may be exactly the home you didn’t know you were searching for.