Fourcès reveals itself through its distinctive centre: a circular square shaded by plane trees in the former medieval Castelnau. The Auzoue surrounds the circular bastide and frames its houses in green. This provides a clear cultural thread for planning your trip: the village layout, former fortifications and architectural history can be explored through specific names and buildings. Fourcès is also one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France®. If you are looking for a stay steeped in local history, you will find several distinct layers of time here, rather than just a single historical point of reference.
Circular Square and Former Fortifications
The circular square recalls a former fortified motte. Together with the circular bastide, it defines the village’s distinctive layout; the plane trees shade the central square. The Auzoue is also part of the picture of Fourcès: this fish-rich river surrounds the bastide and creates a green frame around its houses. These features tell different aspects of the village’s story—its layout, the memory of a fortification and its riverside location.
The historic buildings include the Ancienne porte de ville, with its vaulted passageway and a fragment of the surrounding wall. The 13th-century Tour de l’Horloge was also once a town gate. The tower and the vaulted passageway of the former town gate complex known as the “Tour de l’Horloge” have been partially listed as historic monuments since 13 May 1937. Those interested in architectural history can note the distinction between a surviving fragment of wall, a former gate and the building later known as the clock tower.
Churches from Different Periods
The Église Saint-Laurent combines a more recent phase of construction with older traces: it was built in 1875 on the remains of a 13th-century building. Its design is Gothic Revival, and its stained-glass windows have been faithfully restored. The construction date, style and windows complement one another without belonging to the same period.
Another historical layer is offered by the pre-Romanesque Église Sainte-Quitterie de Laspeyres in the commune of Fourcès. The church was formerly under the Benedictine monastery of Romboeuf, which became a Cluniac priory of the Abbey of Saint-Mont in 1068. Traces of the Templars’ presence in the 12th century have also been preserved at the site of the Église Sainte-Quitterie. Thus, in Fourcès and its commune, architectural history and earlier religious connections come together at several distinct named sites.
Trails, Guided Tours and Seasonal Events
The Portes d’Orée viewpoint offers a 360° panorama and can be reached via a marked trail. Trail conditions may vary seasonally; check them before setting out. Fourcès is also on the GR654, part of the Way of St James. If you plan to take this route, check current trail conditions before departure as well.
A one-hour guided tour for groups is available by booking with the Ténarèze Tourist Office. Ask about availability before your trip. The “Le Mystère de la croix occitane” escape game takes place on Mondays and Thursdays in summer and requires a reservation; check the current summer schedule. The Marché aux Fleurs is a recurring spring event held every year on the last weekend of April. The three activities therefore have different requirements: the tour is for groups and requires a booking, the game takes place on specific weekdays in summer, and the market is held on a weekend in April. Check the relevant dates before planning your stay around them.
A visitor leaflet for Fourcès is available at the Ténarèze visitor centres in Condom, Montréal and Larressingle. As distribution locations may change, check in advance whether the leaflet is still available there.
Discover more destinations: Pellefigue, Nogaro, Miradoux, Ligardes, Leboulin, Préneron, Condom, Noilhan.
For the broader travel guide: Gers.
