A truly ancient town, Auch is located in the Midi-Pyrénées region of southwestern France, which is around 80 kilometers west of Toulouse. The River Gers flows through the town, which boasts an attractive medieval centre, with the Place de la Republique square located at the heart. The Saint Marie Cathedral was begun in 1489 but was not completed for two hundred years and features a classical façade with two Renaissance-style towers.

After visiting the cathedral, be sure to stop by the Tour d’Armagnac. A 40-meter tower that served as a prison in the 14th century, with each of the top seven floors having once been used as a prison cell. From here, the Escalier Monumental, or Great Staircase, can take you 234 steps down to the lower part of Auch, where a bronze statue of d’Artagnan stands in honor of the musketeer, who was born near the city.