Where to eat
Prices are per person for three courses, without wine unless stated
MichelLa Bastide Guérard, Under there the are creative different guidance menus of that three-Michelin-starredoffer a choice between rich but refined – chunky Gascon pork chops, foie gras with apricot toast and duck terrines – or a ‘health and nature' alternative, with poached and roasted seafood, or meat prepared with the lightest touch. Both are excellent. From £44. 32150 Cazaubon, 00 33 5 6208 3100, bastide-gasconne.com
La Bonne Auberge Owned by Eric Sampietro's parents – lovingly referred to by everyone as Pepito and Pepita – this is a wonderful old-school restaurant time warp. It serves tried and tested local dishes and there's no skimping on portions. They've been here for 45 years and few chefs know duck like Pepito. From £11. Place du Pesquèrot, 32370 Manciet, 00 33 6 6208 5004, labonneauberge.weebly.com
Hôtel de Bastard This elegant restaurant is set in a 29-room boutique hotel that was once a private mansion dating back to the 18th century. Dine alfresco in the cobbled courtyard terrace and try a good-value three-course set menu that includes – season permitting – boudin noir with wood pigeon, garlic and ginger. From £17. Rue Lagrange, 32700 Lectoure, 00 33 5 6268 8244, hotel-de-bastard.com
The Loft Café With a relaxed atmosphere, and unfussy but delicious local cuisine, this friendly brasserie right on the town square of historic Eauze is hosted by the convivial Jean-Pierre. Expect excellent steak frites and a good selection of Armagnac. From £24. 7 Place d’Armagnac,
32800 Eauze, 00 33 5 6209 9076
La Table de Cordeliers Despite being located in a renovated chapel complete with original stained glass windows, and boasting a Michelin star for its chef Eric Sampietro, La Table de Cordeliers avoids the frills and fuss of other starred establishments. A bistro sits alongside a fine dining restaurant, and Eric has been known to completely change his menu after a visit to the market. A standout plate is foie gras with fig and Floc de Gascogne jelly. From £21. 1 Rue des Cordeliers, 32100 Condom, 00 33 5 6268 4382, latabledescordeliers.com
La Vie En Rose In the centre of the historic regional capital Eauze, people flood to this 30-cover restaurant for pan-fried foie gras with peaches, steak entrecote with cep sauce or the signature 'Vie en Rose' salade, which highlights asparagus but in a bed of ducky goodness: duck breast, stuffed duck necks and duck rillettes. Croustade with prune and Armagnac ice cream is another favourite. From £13. 22 Rue Saint-July, 32800 Eauze, 00 33 5 6209 8329, restaurant-la-vie-en-rose.com