Viella brings together wine, landscapes and a year-end tradition. Two questions can help you plan your trip: Would you like to focus on wine, or are you more drawn to gardens and mountain views? And does December 31 work for your travel dates? The activities offer different answers—from a visit to Domaine Laougué to the Jardins d’Aure and the hiking trails.

Vineyards, Cellars and Gardens

At Domaine Laougué, the visit takes you from the vineyard to the wine cellars and ends with a tasting of Madiran and Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh cuvées. Check the booking arrangements before your visit, as they may change.

The Jardins d’Aure at Château de Viella offer a daily stroll through the vineyards. A shaded bower, a treehouse, a pergola and a scented garden add a variety of garden features along the way. In 2026, the gardens are open year-round and freely accessible every day. Check the latest information before your visit, as details may change.

Both activities include the vineyards, but focus on different things: the Domaine visit continues into the cellars and includes a tasting, while the Jardins focus on the walk and garden areas. This lets you choose between tasting cuvées and taking a freely accessible stroll through the vineyards.

Pacherenc at Year’s End

The Pacherenc de la Saint-Sylvestre tradition includes a village gathering by torchlight on December 31. The gathering is preceded by a pastorale and a solemn blessing of the region’s produce at Saint-Pierre Church. During the celebration, participants can pick the last candied grapes and taste Pacherenc at a festive Réveillon. The event thus combines a religious opening with a village gathering, grape picking and wine tasting.

The wine activities also differ: at the Domaine, visitors taste Madiran and Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh cuvées; in the Saint-Sylvestre tradition, Pacherenc is part of the Réveillon. One visit takes you into the wine cellars, while the other connects wine with a tradition held on a specific date.

For choosing when to visit, the key difference is between the garden path, which is accessible every day, and the tradition held on December 31. The gardens are open year-round in 2026; if you are travelling specifically for the village gathering, check the latest details about the event beforehand.

Château History and Pyrenees Views

Château de Viella was rebuilt in 1763 by Jacob Joachim, Marquis de Viella. For those interested in cultural history, this date provides a specific point of reference. Viella’s hiking trails offer views of the Pyrenees from their ridgelines. The château’s history and the landscape therefore offer different points of interest: one focuses on a dated reconstruction, the other on views of the Pyrenees while hiking.

The two landscape perspectives also differ: the Jardins d’Aure take you through vineyards and garden areas, while the hiking trails’ ridgelines offer views of the Pyrenees. This lets you decide whether you would rather stroll through the gardens or take in the mountain range.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Berdoues, Espas, Lamazère, Maravat, Larroque-Saint-Sernin, Barran, Caussens, Miradoux.

For the regional travel overview: Gers.