Jazz:
Marciac, the local town (5 minutes drive or 15 minutes walk away), hosts an annual jazz festival in early August. This is one of the largest music festivals in France, causing the town's population to increase for 2 weeks each year from around 1500 to well over 10000. The festival has a two week programme under cover with many well-known jazz names and a number of side shows, as well as open air jazz in the town square, and a large outdoor market with many stalls selling food, clothing, artefacts and local products such as fois gras.
During the festival, it is very easy to enjoy a secluded holiday at the château, listen to the jazz from the property or actively partake in concerts in the town. Many just enjoy sitting in the town square, listening to the jazz performances there. Outside the festival season, the town is quiet and extremely rural.
Wine Tasting:
The château is in the Armagnac brandy region and the Cotes de St Mont wine region and within 30 minutes of the Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh and Cotes de Gascogne wine regions. These areas provide a wide range of red, rose, dry and sweet white wines at reasonable prices. The House Book kept at the property for use by guests provides more detail about these wine regions to help plan a wine tasting trip.
Sports:
Golfing: The oldest golf course in France is at Pau, sixty minutes drive distance. Ten minutes away near Tillac is the 18 hole golf course at Chateau Pallanne, set in the glorious grounds of this eighteenth century château. Other courses can be found at Eauze (30 minutes' drive) and Auch (45 minutes' drive). Golf clubs are kept at the château.
Snow/Mountains: It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to foothills of the Pyrenees, 2 hours to drive well into them. Gavarnie and Pont d'Espagne are particularly recommended all year round. In winter, skiing, snow boarding and toboganning are all available, with equipment available from local hiring centres. The nearest resort is Cauterets. Pont D'Espagne is a short way further on.
Other: Horse riding is a popular local sport. There is a swimming pool complex by the lake available during the summer. Similar complexes can be found in various villages/ towns within 15 to 20 minutes drive of the property.
Other Activities:
wine tasting, gastronomy
