document.write("Local Occitan proverb with French translation:
\'Que de soun rentre fa jardi, a pas besoin de medeci\'
\'Qui de son ventre fait un jardin, n\'a pas besoin de médecin\'<\/I>

Daily Markets<\/STRONG>
Traditional markets take place every day all across the Midi-Pyrénées and are very much a part and culture of life in France; a meeting place for the locals.

As well as finding local fresh produce, there are many types of markets such as ‘Antique and Bric-a-Brac Markets’, ‘Farmer’s Markets’, ‘Foie Gras Markets’, ‘Garlic Markets’, ‘Marché à la Lanterne’, ‘Potter’s Markets’, ‘Poultry Markets’, ‘Second Hand Book Markets’ and ‘Traditional Markets’. \n
$\"Market$                  $\"Market$ <\/P>Foie gras is considered to be a delicacy, produced from either the traditional symbol of Gascon gastronomy - the goose or the recently becoming more popular duck. Gers is the top producer of foie gras in France, and the biggest foie gras market is held all year round every Monday at Samatan attracting thousands of producers. In the months of July and August, on the second Thursday of each month, an evening market is held at Auch. From 20:30 to 02:00 this open air ‘Marché à la Lanterne’ offers the chance for people to shop and browse among the many stalls in addition to the weekly Saturday morning market.

Local Occitan proverb with French translation:
\'Gloton en cosina, son par non desira\'
\'Glouton en cuisine ne peut supporter son pareil\'<\/I><\/STRONG>

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The Cistercian Abbey of Sainte Marie de Boulaur – Boulaur, GERS<\/STRONG>

Situated on the outskirts of Saramon, established in 1140 by the Abbess of Fontrevault, this unique and beautiful site of the ancient church inspired its name of \'le Bon Lieu\' from the Latin \'Bonus Locus\'. The Roman foundations support Gothic and Renaissance additions and 14th century frescoes cover the vaults of the Choir.

The Cistercian order started restoration of the Abbey in 1949 finding such treasures as a crystalline marble statue of the Virgin and Child which had been serving as a drain. Today, in order to supplement their income, the nuns work the land selling their produce of cheese, pâté, preserves and jams. Free conducted tours of the Abbey are available every day except Tuesday and holy days at 11:30, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:30.
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$\"Abbey$     $\"The$ <\/P>
More information available on www.boulaur.org<\/A><\/STRONG>

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Festi\'Drôle – Simorre, GERS
JULY 2011<\/STRONG>

Held annually in Simorre our closest village, the Festi\'Drôle is a festival for children. The aim is to feed the imagination and curiosity of each child. How? By devising a festival centred purely on discovery, expression and creation with the participation of over 35 creative workshops.

More information available on http:\/\/festidrole.free.fr<\/A><\/STRONG>

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Festival of Country Music – Mirande, GERS
JULY 2011

<\/STRONG>Every month of July, in the nearby village of Mirande the biggest country music festival in Europe takes place. Held over five days, you can experience first hand American country music and camp western concerts, rodeos, a meet of American car enthusiasts and Harley Davidson fans, hot air balloon rides as well as many other attractions and activities for all the family to enjoy. \n
$\"Country$                $\"Country$ <\/P>Relaxation, a welcoming and happy atmosphere create an ideal context to appreciate all facets of country music, from bluegrass to cajun and to hillbilly along with plenty of genuine fun entertainment for the children and a full programme of events.

Guests of honour over the past years have included Carl Perkins, Patrick Duffy, Robert Conrad, Branscombe Richmond, Steve Kanaly, David Soul, Clarence Gilyard, Larry Hagman, Sheree J. Wilson, Linda Gray and Judson Mills; quite a turn out for this annual event. 2007 saw a first, \'The Ewing Family\' from \"Dallas\" which included Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Larry Hagman, Steve Kanaly and Charlene Tilton all as guests of honour over the five day festival.

Guest of honour for 2008 was John Schneider who played \'Bo Duke\' from the original series of \"The Dukes of Hazzard\" and is a renowned and successful country singer in his own right and a genuinely nice man with time for everyone! \n
$\"John$                 $\"The$ <\/P>\n
Guest of honour for 2009 was actress Stefanie Powers from the television series \"Hart to Hart\" who is also a keen supporter for wildlife preservation, being the president of the \'William Holden Wildlife Foundation\' and director of the \'Mount Kenya Game Ranch\'; a beautiful, gracious and lovely lady!<\/P>\n
Guest of honour for this year was actress Alison Arngrim who played \'Nellie Oleson\' in the popular television series \"Little House on the Prairie\".

More information available on www.country-musique.com<\/A><\/STRONG>

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Festival of Afro-Cuban, Salsa and Latin Music – Vic Fezensac, GERS
JULY 2011

<\/STRONG>This annual festival offers free and paying concerts as well as classes for dance, instruments, percussion and songs for children.
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$\"Tempo$ <\/P>\n
The best concerts are normally held on the Friday and Saturday nights and Vic Fezensac is completely transformed. The main street becomes a huge market and the bars and music run throughout the nights of the festival creating a non-stop atmosphere!<\/P>More information available on www.tempo-latino.com<\/A><\/STRONG>

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Festival of Jazz, (JIM) – Marciac, GERS
JULY - AUGUST 2011

<\/STRONG>Reputed to be THE festival of jazz in Europe, attracting thousands of visitors over the seventeen days that it is held. \n
$\"Jazz$ <\/P>Since the very first concerts organised in 1978 and inspired from the traditional jazz music of New Orleans, jazz legends from all over the world flock to Marciac to partake in this annual event.

Over the years this small Gersois town has heard the likes of Stéphane Grapelli, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Krall, Ann Hampton Callaway, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, Phil Woods, the Charlie Parker Legacy Band, the world famous Count Bassie Orchestra and many, many more names. Of course each artist brings with them the world of blues, rhythm\'n\'blues, soul, latin jazz, free jazz, world music, brass bands, slasa formations, not to mention negro spiritual and gospel concerts, thus appealing to an ever widening audience.

Guests for 2010 included, Diana Krall, Ahmad Jamal, Wynton Marsalis, Jamie Cullum and Kyle Eastwood - YES, the son of Clint, and many many more.

More information available on www.jazzinmarciac.com<\/A><\/STRONG>");