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France

How to celebrate the true spirit of South West France this year

Last updated 26th July 2024

Discover the real France with your kids through the annual festivals and family events in Sud-Ouest Authentique, the area of South West France which straddles Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine’ Regions.

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Circa Festival Auch, Sud-Ouest France

Roll up, roll up and join the Sud-Ouest circus in Auch

France has a huge circus tradition and it’s very much alive and well in the South West. Apart from towns all over the area welcoming colourful circuses in autumn and winter, you’ll also find circus schools, as well as astonishing performers adding character to fêtes and spectacles during the sunny summer months.

But perhaps the biggest noise of all in the South West circus community is the annual Circa Festival in Auch every October. Along with being a great excuse to visit the magnificent ancient capital of the Gers, Circa brings together artists, schools and circus companies from around the world, and it spills out into the streets for two mesmerising days and nights. Of course, children love it, but contemporary circus is as sophisticated as it is impressive, so parents can expect to be thoroughly entertained too.

See more reasons to visit South West France this autumn

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Monflanquin Medieval Festival © OT Coeur de Bastides

Unleash your little knights at Monflanquin Medieval Festival

In the middle of August each year the bastide town of Monflanquin sweeps you back to its beginnings with a captivating Medieval Festival. And the setting couldn’t be more fitting, as not only is Monflanquin one of the official Plus beaux villages de France®, it is medieval to the very cobbles on its sweet little streets.

Although kids are likely to be more taken with the fun of the festival than the perfectly preserved architecture. Come expecting anything from jousting to jesters, falconry displays, medieval markets, incredible food, treasure hunts and theatres shows, knights in full regalia and much, much music. Hard to believe they pack all this into just one day, so don’t miss it on 15 August this year.

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Belleperche Abbey © JM Maume

Celebrate with Sud-Ouest locals at the Abbaye de Belleperche

Another unmissable this autumn, the three Medieval Days at Abbaye de Belleperche in Tarn-et-Garrone give you the perfect excuse to put this imposing Abbey on your must-see list. If you can’t make it in September, come during summer when entry is free for under-18s and the French school holidays mean it’s event time, practically all the time.

There are children’s workshops, interactive experiences and the permanent exhibition will definitely interest older kids. Then there’s the 12th century Abbey itself to admire, not least of all because it sits on the banks of the legendary Garonne River.

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Mastodon trail, Sansan © Arnaud Späni Collection Tourisme Gers

Walk in the footsteps of mastodons at astonishing Sansan

When is a walk not a walk? When it’s a mastodon discovery ramble along three kilometres of well-marked trails punctuated with fascinating facts about the important paleontological site at Sansan. It goes without saying that this is one hike kids will be very happy to take.

If you want to add a little more excitement to the experience, get involved in the escape game, where you can learn about Édouard Lartet who discovered the site back in 1834. You’ll find Sansan in the Gers about 20 minutes drive south of Auch.

Discover more places to amaze your kids all over the Sud-Ouest

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Canoeing River Lot © Les Coflocs

Canoe down the River Lot for a family wine tasting experience

Every Thursday morning at 10am in July and August, a flotilla of canoes sets off from Casseneuil on the Lot River and paddles, in the company of a guide, all the way to Lou Gaillot winery. Known as Canoé Cave, we’re going to say this is probably the most inventive wine tasting experience in France, if not Europe. Try it for yourself this summer, and bring the kids as the winery has plenty to entertain them in the vineyards, while you sample the wine.

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Cycling Montech © Aurélien Desmiers

Cycle some of the prettiest towpaths in the Sud-Ouest

Yet another unusual trip to try this summer, cycle the towpaths along the canal from Montech to the Pente d’eau. This remarkable, and impressively large, machine was put into place in 1974 to allow barges to avoid five successive locks and save 45 minutes on their journey time. A bit like an elevator for boats, it was operational until 2003, when it was decommissioned.

Now, fully restored, it’s a remarkable sight to behold. Once you’ve admired the feat of engineering, visit the museum on board the enormous Freycinet barge and find out all about its history and inner workings. Then get to know the water better by hiring paddleboards, canoes or kayaks at the 11th Lock near the Paper Mill in Montech.

librarie-tartinerie-de-sarrant©Collection Tourisme Gers_JP Pereira

Librarie Tartinerie de Sarrant © JP Pereira Collection Tourisme de Gers

Drop in to beautiful Sarrant for unusual books and eats

Stop off at the medieval village of Sarrant in the Gers, not just because it’s lovely enough to be one of the Plus beaux villages de France®, but also because it’s home to one of the most sweet and singular reading experiences we’ve ever encountered.

Librarie-tartinerie de Sarrant immerses is a quaint little bookshop that stocks everything from children’s books and limited editions to rare finds from independent publishers. So far so interesting? However, what makes the shop truly unusual is the fact that they serve toast and chocolate, along with tea, while you browse. It’s a real one of a kind, and we promise you’ll talk about it a lot back home.

Find more Plus beaux villages de France® in the Sud-Ouest

Monflanquin©Lezbroz

Monflanquin © Lezbroz

Stay in a fairy tale castle in romantic Monflanquin

If you like the idea of staying in a fairy tale castle this summer, Château Ladausse in Monflanquin sounds perfect. Tucked into the countryside, yet surrounded by places to explore, it offers a range of elegantly vintage suites, sleeping up to four guests. Plus, you can also take cooking lessons with the owner, Diane, formerly of the Paris Cooking Company. Wine workshops are available too, or you can enjoy the services of a private chef during your stay.

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Ferme des Parreaux, Sud-Ouest France

Celebrate the true Sud-Ouest spirit with a farm stay

Ferme des Parreaux may be only 20km from Montauban, but it seems like another world entirely. Think of it like a pretty B&B, only breakfast is served on the garden terrace overlooking the most wonderful views. If you’re planning a large family holiday you can rent the entire house which sleeps up to 13, and less ambitious plans give you a choice of rooms and suites, all with ensuite bathrooms and more marvellous views.

Now visit Sud-Ouest Authentique to plan your next family holiday

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