Marciac, Medieval bastide town in Gers, France
Marciac is a medieval town in Gers, France, with a central square framed by covered arcades and timber-framed houses arranged in a regular grid pattern. The streets and buildings reflect a 13th-century urban design that remains largely intact today.
The town was founded in the late 13th century and developed as a planned settlement during the medieval period. Its grid layout and defensive structure reflect the deliberate urban design of the era.
The Jazz in Marciac festival brings international musicians and audiences to this small town every summer, filling the squares and streets with live performances. The entire community participates in making music a central part of local life during these weeks.
The town is small and easy to walk through, with clear streets laid out in a regular pattern that makes navigation simple. Visiting outside the summer festival season allows you to experience the town at a slower pace without crowds.
Local schools have integrated jazz education into their regular curriculum, making music a fundamental part of daily learning for students. This unusual approach for a small French town shows how deeply the festival has influenced local life.
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