After a hearty breakfast featuring local produce and fresh eggs from our organic chickens, we'll travel to Auch.

There, we'll visit the market held in the square in front of Sainte-Marie Cathedral and stroll through the narrow streets of the beautiful, historic old town. Numerous traces of the medieval past await discovery. Those who wish can reach the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sainte-Marie Cathedral from the banks of the Gers River via a monumental staircase with 354 steps. For those who find that too strenuous, we'll drive directly to the square in front of the cathedral.

The meeting point for everyone is the "Information touristique" (tourist information office), where each person will receive a city map highlighting the main sights. From the third floor, you can enjoy two unique views of Auch: the picturesque rooftops of the old town and Sainte-Marie Cathedral opposite. With its medieval streets, the cathedral, and the House of Henry IV, to name just a few, Auch, the historic capital of Gascony, has much to offer. Above all, it's a city of manageable scale, perfect for strolling, enjoying the atmosphere, and marveling. We wander through the picturesque alleys, the pousterles, those narrow lanes that lead down to the Gers River. We admire Sainte-Marie Cathedral with its famous stained-glass windows and its artistically valuable choir. We discover a magnificent little Italian-style theater… in short, we immerse ourselves in a rich cultural heritage.

Our walk into the past begins with a visit to Sainte-Marie Cathedral. As an important site on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela, this rich cultural treasure showcases the transition between Flamboyant Gothic and the Classical Renaissance. "Saint Mary's Cathedral is one of those cathedrals that could be put on display in museums," declared Emperor Napoleon during his visit to Auch in 1808. Upon entering the building, a certain grandeur envelops us. This grandeur is created by the simplicity of the decoration, the height of the vaults (26 m!), and the light from the stained-glass windows. The 16th-century stained-glass windows, the work of Arnaut de Moles, are among the most beautiful in southern France. Unique are the life-size figures, the parallels between the Old and New Testaments, and the pagan religions represented by the Sibyls. The cathedral's choir is a church within a church. Completed in 1552, it consists of choir stalls incorporating over 1,500 figures, forming an iconographic ensemble of unparalleled richness.

We will have lunch in an authentic restaurant in Auch's old town, enjoying Gascon cuisine with duck and goose specialties.

From Auch, we will travel to a Château des Bas Armagnac, where fine Armagnac has been distilled from the locally grown grapes for over 130 years. Unlike Cognac, Armagnac is distilled only once, which preserves the grape's aromas much more distinctly. Each Armagnac is unique, offering unmistakable aromas and flavor nuances. We will enjoy an Armagnac tasting together, allowing everyone to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this noble brandy from Southwest France. Tasting five of the finest eaux-de-vie, you will recognize the differences between the individual varieties and learn about the latest innovations, produced in very limited quantities. Following the tasting, you can explore the estate's rich history with a stroll through the park, admire contemporary artworks, and discover the adjacent vineyard. You will also have the opportunity to tour the distillery and the aging cellars.

Afterwards, we return to Château Lestéous and enjoy free time in the spacious garden, in the château itself, or in the surrounding area. We round off this second day with a meal featuring ingredients from small local producers, accompanied by delicious Armagnac wines, a dessert with Armagnac-soaked fruit, and more good conversation in a small group.