(This article is a paid partnership with HouseSitMatch)
Bordeaux to Spain road trip? Make a stopover in Eauze, France.
Set in the Gers in southwest France—historically part of Gascony—Eauze is the capital of Armagnac, a title dating back to Napoléon in 1802. It sits on the Via Podiensis, one of the main Camino de Santiago routes that crosses southwestern France into Spain, and has an interesting connection to the French Resistance.
It’s not a stop from Bordeaux to Spain you make by accident—it’s one you choose.
A Local Perspective from Eauz
From time to time, the Barefoot Blogger features people who know specific regions of France, so they can share highlights of places and experiences that readers might otherwise miss.
I’m happy to introduce Lamia Walker and her house-sitting and pet-sitting service, HouseSitMatch. She’ll be contributing a series of articles on places across France, along with insights from the perspective of house and pet sitters.
This first article is closer to home—she’s based near Eauze in the Gers and knows the area well.
She begins here, in Eauze.
Reason #1: The Center of Armagnac Country
One of the great joys of living in Eauze in southwest France is introducing new visitors to this remarkable corner of the country. We arrived here from the UK more than twenty years ago, and we’re still discovering historical fascinations and culinary traditions around every bend.
We had always holidayed in France, venturing further south with every visit. Eventually, we discovered Eauze—the historic heart of the Armagnac region and a place synonymous with foie gras and every imaginable duck dish. For a keen cook, it was a revelation.
Set between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with the Pyrenees nearby, the Gers benefits from a mild climate and a deeply rooted food culture.
Explore the Eauze Market
One of the finest farmers’ markets in the region—genuinely local, with producers who know their craft. Look for the garlic from Saint-Clar, the fromager, and the vendor who sources her own vanilla pods. The dried fruits here are exceptional.
Reason #2: The Camino de Santiago
Once we settled here, the deeper story began to unfold.
Eauze sits along the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, surrounded by medieval villages and castles. There’s a sense of movement through the region—travelers passing through for centuries, each with their own purpose, yet all connected by the same path.
Reason #3: A Quiet Connection to the Resistance
Less widely known is the role this area played during World War II.
The Loft Café and Bistrot
Easy to walk past, but worth finding. During the German occupation, the owner’s father served German officers on different floors while quietly hosting British agents in the loft above. Accounts like Moondrop to Gascony by Anne-Marie Walters bring this history into focus—but sitting here makes it tangible.
Fascinating Places to See Nearby
Larressingle
A remarkably preserved fortified village and a historic stop for pilgrims, also home to respected Armagnac producers known for deeply characterful spirits.
Source: Comité régional du Tourisme Midi Pyrénées
Discover A Slower Way to Experience This Region
We share our property—a small hamlet just outside Eauze—with a much-loved family of pets. Traveling while keeping our home safe and our animals well cared for matters enormously to us.
What makes it possible is knowing everything is in good hands. That trust allows us to travel more freely—and return without worry.
The Gers will still be here when we return.
It always rewards coming home.
Pet sitting — This is what makes travel like this possible
Lamia Walker runs HouseSitMatch, a service that connects homeowners who need care for their homes and animals with people willing to step in. It’s a simple exchange: you stay in a real home, in places like Eauze, while looking after what matters to the owner.
It’s a different way to spend time in France—and one I’m keen to try myself! Register now at HouseSitMatch.
