Auch Attractions

In Roman times Auch (pop. 23,501), on the river Gers, was the chief town of the Ausci, which gave it its name. In the Middle Ages it became capital of the county of Armagnac and later of Gascony, and is now chief town of the département of Gers. Since the ninth C. Auch has been the see of an archbishop. In the old part of the town, beautifully situated on a hill above the river, is the Gothic Cathedral of Ste-Marie (1489-1662), with a beautiful porch.

The cathedral is notable particularly for its 113 magnificent choir- stalls (1520-1551). The choir chapels have superb Renaissance stained glass by Arnaut de Moles; the organ is 17th C. From the square in front of the cathedral a monumental staircase (1864) of 232 steps leads down to the Gers. A former Jacobin chapel now houses a museum of art and archeology.