Marciac brings together the history of a royal bastide founded in 1298 with a jazz museum, festival and other cultural offerings. To help you find your way around town, there is a historic walking tour with 18 information panels; museums, a cinema and a cultural program add further highlights. You can shape your visit around local history, jazz or a mix of both. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between historic sights, year-round offerings and festival dates, which should be checked each year.
Bastide History and Walking Tours
The Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption was built in 1326 and classified as a historic monument. The two different protection designations for the former Augustinian church should also be distinguished: its bell tower is classified as a historic monument, while its façade is listed as a historic monument.
The historic walking tour of the bastide begins in the reception area of the town hall. A digital display there points out the town’s various sights. The tour’s 18 information panels cover the history, layout and main sights of the bastide. A digital, interactive tour also invites visitors to discover the vanished cloister accompanied by jazz sounds. This offers different ways to explore the town: information about its history on the panels and an interactive approach to the cloister.
Jazz History and Festival
Jazz in Marciac began in 1978 at the initiative of a few music lovers. In the early days, traditional jazz and New Orleans-style bands associated with Claude Luter were the focus. Every year, the summer festival brings jazz stars to Marciac from late July to early August. If you want to plan your trip around the performances, check the dates for the relevant year.
The Bis de Jazz festival in Marciac is free and offers a varied program featuring modern jazz, related musical styles, New Orleans and blues. You should also check the program details for the relevant year. Territoires du Jazz adds to the exploration of this musical history: the museum exhibition traces the history of jazz from its origins to the present day and offers visits with an audio guide. It is located at Place du Chevalier d’Antras. Check the opening arrangements before visiting.
Cultural Offerings at the Pôle des Augustins
The Pôle des Augustins is a cultural and tourism center in Marciac. Creative workshops, behind-the-scenes looks at the cinema, exhibitions and concerts take place there throughout the year. Tasting evenings are also held year-round, bringing together local produce and culture.
The Micro-Folie includes a free digital museum with more than 5,000 works and art workshops. The Cabinet de curiosités at the Pôle des Augustins displays jazz memorabilia, a model of the bastide and audio recordings. CinéJim 32 is the center’s cinema: it has 88 seats and an art-house program. Its program includes film screenings and discussions; tours of the projection room are also available. The Pôle therefore brings together different forms of culture in one place, from a digital museum and cinema to tasting evenings.
Discover Marciac and the Surrounding Area
Lac de Tourdun-Marciac is outside Marciac, at the foot of the Saint-Mont wine-growing area. It is set up as a leisure and holiday resort. This distinction is useful when planning: the lake is not in the town, but offers its own link to leisure and holidays at the foot of the wine-growing area.
Plan Your Bus Journey
Bus route 961 connects Mont-de-Marsan, Marciac and Tarbes. The stop in Marciac is opposite 23 Chemin de Ronde. The published timetable information is dated September 1, 2023; timetables may change. Check the service before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Masseube, Arrouède, Ayzieu, Jégun, Montégut-Arros, Plaisance, Nogaro, Simorre.
See the overview of the wider region: Gers.
