Gers

The Gers department is in southwestern France, in the Occitanie region, at the heart of Gascony, and its capital is the small town of Auch. This is a strongly rural and agricultural department, known for its production of Armagnac (a local spirit), foie gras and beautiful rolling hill landscapes. Its economy rests mainly on agriculture and rural tourism, with no major industry based there. Gers is one of France's least populated departments, with a very low cost of living, and suits those who value a calm rural life amid rolling hills.

Auch, Condom, Mirande, Fleurance

• IUT – site d’Auch (Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier) - A small university site with applied programs (BUT) connected to the Toulouse university network.

Auch and Gers's small towns are much calmer than metropolises like Toulouse and Bordeaux in terms of crime statistics. Most issues reported are minor (small thefts or limited harassment), and the overall atmosphere is safe and welcoming for families and young students. Naturally, town centers are quieter at night, and as always, ordinary precautions are advisable.

There is no metro or tram in Gers; the backbone of transport is the regional liO buses and TER trains, which connect Auch to Toulouse and some surrounding towns. Within Auch itself, the city bus service is limited, and people rely mostly on a personal car or bicycle.