'If you could boil down just about every daydream you've ever had about French provincial life,
it would end up looking like this'

"Small-town living in Gascony" by Sean Newsom Sunday Times, 13 May 2007

Swimming Lakes. Relax and bronze yourself; take a refreshing swim or sail in a boat or pedalo. All your needs are catered for next to the River Adour in the village or the swimming lakes around Riscle. If you're not familiar with swimming lakes in France, they are just superb. They are perfect family swimming pleasures with lifeguards and cafes. The Lac de la Forêt at Aignan is 15 km away and the Lac de Plaisance, with its sandy beach is only 10 km.

Outdoor Swimming pools: Riscle, Viella, Plaisance, Marciac, Castelnau Rivierre Baisse, Aire sur l'adour - all within a 20 minute drive.

Walking and Biking. There's no end of lovely walks and bike routes around. As keen off road bikers, we can show you routes where you can whiz through vineyards and cycle off-road in a world that seems a million miles from reality. We can also organise bike hire for you.

Horse-riding. There's any number of stables offering horse-riding in superb settings for everyone from the absolute beginner to the most competent.

Golf. If you're into golf, there's 3 good courses within an hour's drive of the house. Golf du Chateau de Pallanne is an 18 hole course, only 30 minutes away and is built around a beautiful 18th century castle, in an undulating site with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. In Eauze which is a 45 minute drive there's a good 18 hole course, some challenging holes plus a swimming pool and restaurant if there are non-golfers in your party. In Auch which is 1 hour away, there's Golf des Embats, a hilly 18 holer on outskirts of our Gers capital with a good restaurant.

Vineyards. We are surrounded by all sorts of vineyard from posh chateaux (which can look intimidating, but are very welcoming) to simple farms where you fill the bottles yourself. You will enjoy a warm welcome at every one (whatever their style) and you will be offered free tastings wherever you go - again just make sure you're not the driver!

Water-ski in the lake at Cahuzac (5km away). All levels of water-skiing are available at this lake. So whether you decide to take up the sport while you're here or use your time to perfect your style in the warm southern sun, it's up to you.

Canoe or kayak. (Aire Sur l'Adour 15 minutes away) The Adour is perfect for canoeing. Canoeing from place to place is very popular here so why not plan a round trip?

Fishing. The Adour offers a superb spot for fishing. The rivers and lakes in and around Riscle abound with fish and by all accounts, good humored fishermen.

Quad Biking. Why not try your hand at quad-biking near Auch (about 1 hours drive)?

Parachuting and Hang-gliding. Only 10km away in Goux is a professional parachuting and hang-gliding centre - quite literally take yourself to another level!

Or if you just want to chill, try out the local Spa's - there's the small, local, La Source Spa in Marciac which does some super-relaxing treatments in very pleasant surroundings or if you fancy "the works", you should head for Eugenie les Bains, which is about a 40 minute drive. Or about 1 hour away, there's Barbotan-les-Thermes which has been renowned since Roman times for its natural thermal waters. This spa has recently undergone a huge renovation project making it one of the most modern spas in Europe.

La course landaise is a traditional gascon sport, dating back to the 1830's and still the principal entertainment at most of the local village fetes. This is a highly energetic and often amusing (bloodless) sport where young local men chance their luck against fast, cunning and slightly frightening Landais cows.

Bullfighting. While not for the feint hearted, you can't get away from the fact that you're in the heart of bull-fighting land. For those who are "into it" the performances you'll see in this neck of the woods are pretty spectacular.

Interville (quite literally, inter-village). During the summer months you'll often see posters for Interville and this is a pleasure you could miss out on if you don't know what it is ! Quite simply, it's the young fit folk from neighbouring villages challenging each other to various activities backed by the unique sound of the bandas (local bands who'll leave you humming their tunes for days). At Interville, you'll see everything from wheelbarrow races, to whole rugby teams pushing each other around in stock cars! It's a real fun family night out and we'd recommend you catch one if you can.

Quilles (french skittles) and pétanque (boules) is played by locals in most towns around here and while it can often look like just a bunch of old men chucking a ball around, it can be great fun and a superb way to really get involved in the culture. You'll be welcomed to play, with open arms.

Nogaro Racing Circuit (15 mins drive) which holds the super series Easter cup each year and their biggest motor race meeting of the year, the Grand Prix Automobile, which is held in late September - an international feast for motor sport enthusiasts.

July and August are the main night-market months although there are now a growing number of Christmas markets which draw people from all over - why not think about doing your Christmas shopping in a whole new style?

If you want more detailed information on any of the activities we've mentioned, or you want us to pre-book for you before you come, don't hesitate to ask.