Life in France
Heritage and Gascon life
Domaine du Petit Guilhem lies just outside Nérac – about 3 minutes by car, 5 minutes by bicycle or a 10 to 15-minute walk from the town centre. On the banks of the River Baïse, Nérac brings together Renaissance heritage, riverside walks and the welcoming atmosphere of a Gascon market town. As the historic capital of the Albret, it is a place where history forms part of daily life.
A royal town with close ties to Henri IV
In the 16th century Nérac became an important centre of courtly life. Its château received Marguerite d’Angoulême, sister of King François I, and then her daughter Jeanne d’Albret. Later, Henri of Navarre – the future King Henri IV of France – and his wife Marguerite de Valois held court here. Henri established his court and government in Nérac in 1576, and in 1578–1579 Catherine de Medici came to the town to negotiate peace during the Conferences of Nérac, a notable episode in the history of France’s Wars of Religion.
Much of the château was dismantled during the French Revolution, but its surviving north wing – with an elegant gallery of twisted columns and carved capitals – now houses the Château-Musée Henri IV. Together with the old houses of historic Nérac, the Pont-Vieux and the quays along the Baïse, it forms a townscape full of character.
Nature close at hand
Along the Baïse, the Parc de la Garenne and the Jardins du Roi preserve the landscape of the former royal domain. The park began as a hunting reserve under Henri d’Albret, grandfather of Henri IV, and its shaded walks, fountains and river views invite long, unhurried strolls. For riders and walkers alike, the surrounding countryside offers open space in every direction.
Markets, food and wine
Nérac’s lively Saturday-morning market is a weekly meeting place and a showcase for the produce of southwest France. The Gascony is celebrated for its food and drink – Buzet wines, Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne, foie gras, strawberries, melons and prunes – making the estate a natural setting for entertaining with local produce.
It’s not just about buying food. It’s the smell of fresh bread, stalls of peaches and tomatoes, local producers chatting away, a coffee (or wine) in the sunshine… and the general art of taking your time.
The wider Albret
Beyond the town, the Albret countryside of hills and valleys extends towardss the great forest of the Landes. Nearby discoveries include the fortified Moulin des Tours at Barbaste, the bastide of Vianne and the medieval town of Mézin – a rewarding region to explore on horseback, by bicycle or by car.
The 18-hole Golf d’Albret course is about a 15-minute drive away.
Pôle Hippique Lou Chibaou, about 10 minutes away in Barbaste, is a well-known equestrian centre and competition venue hosting regional, national, and international show jumping and dressage competitions. Its calendar includes international show jumping competitions (CSI1*, CSI2*, and CSIAm-A), the Grand National de CSO, and French Amateur and Pro competitions. The centre hosts more than 30 events annually, along with clinics and other equestrian gatherings. Horseball is also represented.