{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Taste of Gascony: Life, Food, and Tours in France\u2019s Hidden Gers Region","description":"In "Taste of Gascony: Life, Food, and Tours in France\u2019s Hidden Gers Region", Annie Sargent welcomes Jenine Lurie, a New Yorker who swapped city life for the rolling hills and medieval villages of the Gers. This episode dives into Jenine\u2019s journey\u2014from volunteering on a pig farm 15 years ago to building a new life (and a tour business) in one of France\u2019s most authentic, off-the-beaten-path departments. If you\u2019ve ever dreamed of escaping to rural France or crave travel stories packed with flavor, culture, and real-life adventure, this conversation delivers. Listen to this episode ad-free Annie and Jenine explore why the Gers feels like a well-kept secret. Here, tourists are rare, medieval bastide towns stand frozen in time, and the Pyrenees loom in the distance. Jenine shares how she fell for the region\u2019s slow pace, warm locals, and rich gastronomy\u2014think Armagnac, floc, and duck confit\u2014while navigating the challenges of buying a home, learning French, and launching Taste of Gascony, her immersive tour company. She takes visitors beyond the usual wine tastings, introducing them to artisan bakers, Armagnac distillers, and even jazz festivals in Marciac. Listen as she spills the details on her five-day tours, where guests roll up their sleeves to make baguettes, explore hidden art galleries, and dine with expats who\u2019ve made the Gers their home. The episode also tackles the nitty-gritty of moving to France: visas, healthcare, and the infamous French bureaucracy. Jenine\u2019s honest advice? Follow the rules, embrace the process, and lean on your community. She reveals how she secured her titre de s\u00e9jour, snagged a health card for just \u20ac23 at the dentist, and why buying her Bassoues cottage felt like the start of a new chapter\u2014champagne included. Annie adds her own insights, comparing the Gers to busier French hotspots and explaining why this region rewards those who love history, tranquility, and a taste of la vie rurale. But it\u2019s not all countryside charm. Annie wraps up with a timely update on Paris\u2019s crackdown on illegal Airbnbs\u2014including eye-popping fines for rule-breakers\u2014and teases next week\u2019s episode on Gu\u00e9delon, the medieval castle being built using only 13th-century tools. Perfect for francophiles, future expats, or anyone curious about France beyond Paris, this episode proves why the Gers deserves a spot on your travel list. Hit subscribe to Join Us in France for more hidden gems, practical tips, and stories that make you feel like you\u2019re exploring France with a friend. Whether you\u2019re planning a trip or just armchair traveling, Annie\u2019s conversational style and Jenine\u2019s infectious enthusiasm will leave you craving croissants, countryside drives, and maybe even a move to Gascony. Subscribe now and never miss an episode of the podcast that\u2019s like a postcard from France\u2014delivered straight to your earbuds. Bon voyage! More episodes about the southwest of France Table of Contents for this Episode Welcome and Preview Today on the podcast: Taste of Gascony Podcast supporters Magazine segment Meet Jenine in Gers From Workaway to Gers Buying in Bassoues Why Gers Feels Special Language and Local Life Culture and Getting Around Weather in the Gers Bastide Town History Taste of Gascony Tours Finding Rentals by Network Visa and Health System Closing Day Emotions Notaire and Legal Basics Healthcare and French Values Building Taste of Gascony Politics and Perceptions Health Card and Visa Steps Expat vs Immigrant Mindset Bonjour and Local Etiquette Armagnac Floc and Aperitifs Patrons Tours and Reviews VoiceMap Tour Reviews Private day trips Paris Airbnb Crackdown Next week on the podcast Copyright   ","author_name":"Join Us in France Travel Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/joinusinfrance.com\/","html":"