Cazaubon: History and Lac de l’Uby

When looking for hotels in Cazaubon, start by asking which side of the destination you want to shape your stay: historic streets and buildings, thermal heritage, or nature and water activities. The highlights below offer concrete ways to identify your interests. Would you mainly like to explore the town’s medieval layout, take an interactive tour, or set aside time for activities at Lac de l’Uby? A route through wetlands and forests also offers a different focus from the historic sites.

Local history in Cazaubon and Barbotan

The historic centre of Vieux Cazaubon is characterised by arcades and half-timbered houses dating from the 13th century. Cazaubon is documented as a castle town from the 13th century. Its architectural forms and historical context offer two different ways to get to know the character of the town.

The Porte d’Uzan is located on Rue de la Brèche, in the heart of Cazaubon’s medieval streets. As a specific landmark, it fits well into a walk focused on the historic layout of the centre. PatrimoineTour offers an interactive tour of the historic centre and the commune’s seven churches. This free visitor experience is available in 50 languages, including Occitan.

Barbotan also has historic buildings associated with different periods. The church of Saint-Pierre dates in part from the late Middle Ages and was rebuilt in the first half of the 16th century. Its portal has been listed as a Monument historique since 1925. The Porte de ville de Barbotan was given this designation by a decree dated 16 February 1926. The different dates refer to the church portal and the town gate.

Barbotan’s history also includes the thermal spring, which was already used by the Romans in antiquity. The thermal spa in Barbotan specialises in rheumatology and phlebology. So, alongside churches, arcades, and town gates, thermal heritage and medical specialities are distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.

Lac de l’Uby: Nature and activities

Lac de l’Uby is part of the Vallée de l’Uby natural area, covers 80 hectares, and has a remarkable natural setting with terrestrial, ornithological, and aquatic fauna. This includes wildlife on land, birds, and aquatic wildlife. These different aspects of nature offer a different focus from the historic buildings in the town centre and in Barbotan.

In July and August, supervised swimming is available in a 700-square-metre pool at the Parc de Loisirs du Lac de l’Uby. This offer is explicitly limited to the season. The park also offers stand-up paddleboarding, pedal boating, and canoeing. If swimming is an important part of your plans, time your visit for the stated summer months; for specific activity planning, it is advisable to check the park’s latest information.

Lac de l’Uby is also the setting for various sporting events, including the Régates de Cazaubon. Events take place throughout the year. If you want to plan your trip around a particular competition, check the specific event dates before you travel.

Explore forests and wetlands on foot

The Chemin de Tavernes et du Marais adds another landscape to explore. The path runs between marshes and forests along the border between the Gers and Landes departments. Its landscape differs from that of Lac de l’Uby: here, wetlands, forest, and the departmental border take centre stage, while the lake is characterised by its large body of water and diverse fauna. You can take these differences into account when choosing the kinds of excursions that interest you, without treating the distinct places and landscapes as a single offering.

Discover more destinations: Béraut, Lectoure, Estampes, Castelnau-Barbarens, Lagarde-Hachan, Fleurance, Mansempuy, Escornebœuf.

For the broader travel overview: Gers.