D'Artagnan was not one of the three musketeers (Athos, Porthos and Aramis were those) but a fourth musketeer, though Dumas seems to waver as to whether to call him that. I like this statue, but the one of the four-ahem-musketeers in Condom gets my vote!
Of course, you are right! He was the 4th musketeer! And as a former French teacher, I actually knew that, but it was stored in a distant memory that is all crashing back on me now. I have changed the body of the text. As for the emails, I'll soon find out how many alert readers I have! Thank you for your comment.
I am partial to the statue of Alexandre Dumas Père along place Catroux (Paris, 17th arr.) where a relaxed d’Artagnan in full musketeer attire sits cheekily at the feet of his creator. :-)
Oh, that’s an interesting statue — I didn’t know of it. There is also a very nice statue in Condom of all four of the musketeers that somebody mentioned in the comments. I’ve just looked them both up.
Auch has been one of those places, along with Avignon, I have made plans with my daughter to visit so many times and every time something has stopped us!
In short… I wish I could have accompanied you Betty!! X
Well perhaps one of these days we could organize an adventure together. Wouldn’t that be something?
Auch and Avignon are hard to compare, the latter is much grander and has a chic town center that Auch doesn’t have whatsoever. I’ve been to Avignon a few times, but was never that crazy about it.
Thank you for your comment, and bonne semaine Susie XO
Let’s look at this for the spring, maybe your spring hols?
Sorry things are so hard…on another subject, don’t you think there is some problem with the French school system of hanging on from break to break? I felt that even when our daughters were growing up. Also we were on the 4-day week here then, so even within the week there was a weekend feel to Tuesday evening. It was kind of fun, but I don’t think it’s healthy. I can only imagine what it’s like now.
Betty I think there is a lot wrong with the school system here, we spoke only briefly the other day and I could say much more but it is perhaps best left for less public viewing, I need this job after all!
Spring sounds like the perfect time, and we can chat to our hearts content!
That cathedral may be new(ish) but it’s no less stunning! And here we go, another French town I don’t know, so thank you for that! I think if you draw a line down the middle of France, north-south, I’ll know most places on the right and very few on the left! But if they actually go ahead with the Lyon-Bordeaux train, which they’ve been talking about for so long, that’ll be my chance!
Yes and I’m a bit the opposite, although I did spend a month in Strasbourg over 3 10-day periods for a continuing education program, and I spent a month in Nice, but that was a very long time ago. I’ve also been to Annecy, Lyon several times, Bourg-en-Bresse, parts of Burgundy, quite a bit of the Drôme and Ardèche, and probably more places I can’t even remember.
Auch is great! I wish I had spent more time there.
I loved learning about how this cathedral was a (very) latecomer to the Gothic game. Quite fascinating, and I had no idea.
And yes, it’s a good place to get exercise, although I’m not so sure how accessible the upper town is overall, although there is parking up there as well. There are slopes all over the place still.
I took a sharp intake of breath when I viewed the photos the old house built on the steep incline. I wonder what a structural survey would identify. I bet the house insurance quotes are interesting.
But looks an interesting town Betty - all those steps would keep you fit or give you a coronary!
Yes, I'm curious about that whole neighborhood. A lot of the houses seemed empty, although not decrepit. One of the books I bought featured a young family who had chosen to in a house that was right along the stairways.
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time in Auch, so I'm thinking maybe I should go back with my husband. He had a short professional contact there with the famous chef André Daguin, and has always been interested.
Yes, however there is access by car to the upper town as well, of course. But I chose free parking down below, after dropping my suitcase off at the hotel.
I stayed one night and it was DEFINITELY worth it. I regret not having been able to stay an extra night as there were places I didn’t get to visit, and I didn’t have quite enough time to just poke around. I’ll be writing another post about the town, maybe even two. What a contract to the place I had been the night before (Mont-de-Marsan)
Auch is within striking distance, so I can get back if I want to. My husband worked on some professional project with the famous Gascon chef André Daguin, who passed away in 2019, so I know he would enjoy going back there.
I’m not sure if you’re talking about the streets, the stairs or the cathedral square — or all three — but I’ll just mention that the cathedral square photo was taken at 1:25 pm, just as the very last market stands were folding up. Just an hour before, it had been a hive of activity. Behind me as I took the photo were about 10 restaurant and brasserie terraces, which were all packed to the gills with people enjoying lunch or drinks on the terraces. It was actually noisy as I took that photo!
My grand parents were based in le Gers, a small town named l’Isle Jourdain so Auch and smaller towns in the area hosted many of our family road trips, often scheduled on Sundays. Thank you for the trip down memory lane Betty. I love Gascony (and won’t exclude spending more quality time there once I have fewer personal and professional commitments in the northern half of France.)
Oh, I’ve heard of l’Isle Jourdain. There are a lot of Gers fans out there, but can you believe I had only been once? It was for a birthday party in Lectoure and we didn’t see much. I’ll be doing another post about Auch and maybe even two — this first one just scratched the surface with some of the main sites.
Thank you for your kind words! I need to remember to add the "locate TOWN on a map" link that I've started to use, but of course anyone can also just look up the location. Most of my destinations so far have been in the broader south of France since that is where I'm based, but I'm hoping to branch out eventually.
D'Artagnan was not one of the three musketeers (Athos, Porthos and Aramis were those) but a fourth musketeer, though Dumas seems to waver as to whether to call him that. I like this statue, but the one of the four-ahem-musketeers in Condom gets my vote!
Of course, you are right! He was the 4th musketeer! And as a former French teacher, I actually knew that, but it was stored in a distant memory that is all crashing back on me now. I have changed the body of the text. As for the emails, I'll soon find out how many alert readers I have! Thank you for your comment.
I am partial to the statue of Alexandre Dumas Père along place Catroux (Paris, 17th arr.) where a relaxed d’Artagnan in full musketeer attire sits cheekily at the feet of his creator. :-)
Oh, that’s an interesting statue — I didn’t know of it. There is also a very nice statue in Condom of all four of the musketeers that somebody mentioned in the comments. I’ve just looked them both up.
Oh, also I looked up a photo of the statue in Condom. It does look very attractive.
Auch has been one of those places, along with Avignon, I have made plans with my daughter to visit so many times and every time something has stopped us!
In short… I wish I could have accompanied you Betty!! X
Well perhaps one of these days we could organize an adventure together. Wouldn’t that be something?
Auch and Avignon are hard to compare, the latter is much grander and has a chic town center that Auch doesn’t have whatsoever. I’ve been to Avignon a few times, but was never that crazy about it.
Thank you for your comment, and bonne semaine Susie XO
Betty the moment I hit send on that comment I had the same thought! It really would be something and such fun. Let's do it! xox
La reprise était dure-dure... vive les vacances de Noel!
Let’s look at this for the spring, maybe your spring hols?
Sorry things are so hard…on another subject, don’t you think there is some problem with the French school system of hanging on from break to break? I felt that even when our daughters were growing up. Also we were on the 4-day week here then, so even within the week there was a weekend feel to Tuesday evening. It was kind of fun, but I don’t think it’s healthy. I can only imagine what it’s like now.
Betty I think there is a lot wrong with the school system here, we spoke only briefly the other day and I could say much more but it is perhaps best left for less public viewing, I need this job after all!
Spring sounds like the perfect time, and we can chat to our hearts content!
That cathedral may be new(ish) but it’s no less stunning! And here we go, another French town I don’t know, so thank you for that! I think if you draw a line down the middle of France, north-south, I’ll know most places on the right and very few on the left! But if they actually go ahead with the Lyon-Bordeaux train, which they’ve been talking about for so long, that’ll be my chance!
Yes and I’m a bit the opposite, although I did spend a month in Strasbourg over 3 10-day periods for a continuing education program, and I spent a month in Nice, but that was a very long time ago. I’ve also been to Annecy, Lyon several times, Bourg-en-Bresse, parts of Burgundy, quite a bit of the Drôme and Ardèche, and probably more places I can’t even remember.
Auch is great! I wish I had spent more time there.
That’s certainly quite the staircase and what a magnificent cathedral
Yes, the combination of the two is quite interesting, even though the staircase was built much later.
Quite an effective workout as well as a beautiful exploration, Betty. I love Gothic architecture, so this was a treat.
I loved learning about how this cathedral was a (very) latecomer to the Gothic game. Quite fascinating, and I had no idea.
And yes, it’s a good place to get exercise, although I’m not so sure how accessible the upper town is overall, although there is parking up there as well. There are slopes all over the place still.
I took a sharp intake of breath when I viewed the photos the old house built on the steep incline. I wonder what a structural survey would identify. I bet the house insurance quotes are interesting.
But looks an interesting town Betty - all those steps would keep you fit or give you a coronary!
Yes, I'm curious about that whole neighborhood. A lot of the houses seemed empty, although not decrepit. One of the books I bought featured a young family who had chosen to in a house that was right along the stairways.
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time in Auch, so I'm thinking maybe I should go back with my husband. He had a short professional contact there with the famous chef André Daguin, and has always been interested.
Thank you for your comment!
You would be kept fit manoeuvring around that town with all those steps. Did you stay there overnight? Was it worth an overnighter?
Yes, however there is access by car to the upper town as well, of course. But I chose free parking down below, after dropping my suitcase off at the hotel.
I stayed one night and it was DEFINITELY worth it. I regret not having been able to stay an extra night as there were places I didn’t get to visit, and I didn’t have quite enough time to just poke around. I’ll be writing another post about the town, maybe even two. What a contract to the place I had been the night before (Mont-de-Marsan)
The highs and lows of travelling. Oh la la.....😃 🙂
Auch is within striking distance, so I can get back if I want to. My husband worked on some professional project with the famous Gascon chef André Daguin, who passed away in 2019, so I know he would enjoy going back there.
Love the way you wrote about this town - I’d heard about Auch but haven’t been. Yet!! 😁
Thank you! I’ll do at least one more post about Auch; this one just covered the main sights. I regretted only spending one night there.
Looks deserted.
I’m not sure if you’re talking about the streets, the stairs or the cathedral square — or all three — but I’ll just mention that the cathedral square photo was taken at 1:25 pm, just as the very last market stands were folding up. Just an hour before, it had been a hive of activity. Behind me as I took the photo were about 10 restaurant and brasserie terraces, which were all packed to the gills with people enjoying lunch or drinks on the terraces. It was actually noisy as I took that photo!
My grand parents were based in le Gers, a small town named l’Isle Jourdain so Auch and smaller towns in the area hosted many of our family road trips, often scheduled on Sundays. Thank you for the trip down memory lane Betty. I love Gascony (and won’t exclude spending more quality time there once I have fewer personal and professional commitments in the northern half of France.)
Oh, I’ve heard of l’Isle Jourdain. There are a lot of Gers fans out there, but can you believe I had only been once? It was for a birthday party in Lectoure and we didn’t see much. I’ll be doing another post about Auch and maybe even two — this first one just scratched the surface with some of the main sites.
Bon dimanche Véronique!
I’ll be looking forward to the next installment.
I like this series. I’m unfamiliar with most of France and I really appreciate seeing places I’ve not heard of. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words! I need to remember to add the "locate TOWN on a map" link that I've started to use, but of course anyone can also just look up the location. Most of my destinations so far have been in the broader south of France since that is where I'm based, but I'm hoping to branch out eventually.
Thank link is very helpful.
Ha, here you go! There’s also a nice view here of the city from a distance — I didn’t get that angle.
Auch is magnifique, and how blue is that sky?
It was the only full-on blue-sky day on my little trip. Pure joy!