Fontrailles is in the Gascony region lying between the Pyrénées and the River Gironde to the north. Gascony is the home of D’Artagnan (of The Three Musketeers fame) and is also a region which was long fought over by England and France.
Castles, fortified churches, ‘bastide’ towns and villages dating from that time can be found all over the area. Caesars Way and the Pilgrimage Way are a testament to the time of Roman occupation and later, when pilgrims passed through en route for Santiago di Compostella in Spain.
The local town of Trie sur Baïse (2.5kms) offers all the basic requirements – Bank ATM, bakers, butchers, paper shop and greengrocer are all situated around the pretty main square where a bustling market is held every Tuesday. On the outskirts is an Intermarche supermarket with a filling station.
From May onwards the town offers various attractions including a Classical Music Weekend, antiques and night markets as well as the local fete in August with the infamous Porcailhade; a week of entertainment; the local racecourse holds it’s annual meeting in early August. Nearby Mirande (25kms) has an International Country and Western week in mid July and Marciac (34kms) holds it’s famous International Jazz Festival, attracting well-known artistes, in early August.
Other villages and towns have their annual fetes and Festivals throughout the summer, details of which are well publicised locally.
Golf, fishing, horse riding, tennis, rafting, cycling, bird watching, painting and walking are among the many activities that can be enjoyed in the area.
There are many places to visit in the Pyrenees,including the well known UNESCO site - Cirque de Gavarnie, and we can advise on each location depending on your requirements.
Towns and villages nestle amongst the fields of maize, tobacco and sunflowers in a rich, rolling landscape and, in contrast to their turbulent past, many local communities now pride themselves on their Armagnac and prowess in rugby.
Nearby are the vineyards of Buzet, Madiran and Jurancon.
Lac de Puydarrieux
