Gascony, Historical province in southwestern France
Gascony is a historical province in southwestern France that stretches from the Pyrenees to the Atlantic coast and covers several modern departments. The landscape shifts between dense pine forests, rolling hills with vineyards, and small towns with half-timbered houses and covered market squares.
A Basque leader founded a duchy in the 7th century that remained a separate political entity for centuries. In the 15th century, the territory joined the French kingdom but kept local characteristics in language and customs.
The name comes from the Vascones, a Basque people who settled here centuries ago and shaped the character of the area. Today you can still hear Gascon expressions in villages when older residents chat in the town squares.
Many wineries and farms offer tours where you can taste local products. The best time to travel is spring or autumn when temperatures are mild and markets sell fresh goods from the surrounding countryside.
A man named Charles de Batz from a village here served as the model for d'Artagnan in a famous novel about musketeers. His life was less spectacular than the fictional character, but he really fought for the French king and died during a siege.
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