Seissan brings together architectural history, a regular Friday market schedule and a signposted trail: the bastide took shape in 1288, the surviving tower of the former castle dates from the 13th century, and the Sentier d’Artiguedieu – PR13 is listed as 4.0 kilometres long. There is also the Friday market, the traditional Marché au Gras and a church that retains traces of its predecessor. When planning a stay, two questions can help: Would you like to include Friday and its market times, and would you also like to set aside time for architectural history or the trail? This makes it easier to plan your stay around history, a market visit or a walk.
Bastide, Tower and Church
Seissan’s bastide developed a commercial role through its prestigious fairs. On a promontory at the confluence of the Gers and the Rouquette stands the surviving square tower of the former castle. The year 1288 marks the formation of the bastide, while the tower represents a structure dating from the 13th century: the two details shed light on different aspects of the town’s history.
The Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption also offers its own historical point of interest. It was rebuilt in the late 19th century, and contains carved stones from the earlier church. The rebuilding and the older stones point to different phases of construction. Visitors interested in architecture and local history can consider the bastide, former castle tower and church as distinct themes for their trip, rather than reducing them to a single attraction.
Friday: Market and Marché au Gras
The Friday market takes place every Friday morning on Place Carnot and Rue du Marché. The traditional Marché au Gras is held on Fridays from 10 a.m. under the large market hall. Fresh whole goose or duck foie gras is offered there. The selection can vary considerably from week to week, especially at the start of the season. If you are travelling for these products, check the specific date and availability in advance.
A trimming service is available on site at the Marché au Gras to make transport and preparation easier. Confirm before your visit whether this service is available. Planning therefore depends both on the Friday you choose and on the availability of the products. The Friday market is listed as a weekly morning event; at the Marché au Gras, the changing selection may also be a deciding factor.
Trail and Practical Information
The Sentier d’Artiguedieu – PR13 is listed in Seissan as a 4.0-kilometre trail. Its length gives you a concrete basis for planning if you would like to include a walk in your stay. Check the route conditions before setting out.
The information point of the Val de Gers Tourist Office welcomes visitors at Allée Pierre Bédat de Monlaur every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Opening hours can change, so check the current times before your trip. If you plan to make Friday a key part of your stay, coordinate your market visit and any visit to the information point around their respective time slots. This makes it possible to plan a visit to Seissan around specific times and interests—with local history as the focus, a Friday for the markets or the signposted trail as an additional activity.
Discover more destinations: Lamaguère, Barran, Callian, Ayguetinte, Estampes, Séailles, Laujuzan, Lavardens
For the regional travel overview: Gers.
