Malabat combines open views across the Gers hills with silverwork in the town hall. Natural features along the Arros and the Coteaux de Capvern à Betplan add to the local landscape; here, scenery, natural surroundings and cultural heritage come together as distinct highlights for a stay.

Hilltop views and rural surroundings

The RD 38 provides access to Malabat. Use the road designation to help plan your journey, and check the current road layout before setting off, as route numbers may change. Malabat lies on a ridge and offers open views across the hills of Gers; on a clear day, the view extends as far as the Pyrenees. If a view of the Pyrenees is important to you, check visibility conditions for the day of your visit. The surrounding area includes small, hedge-lined roads, meadows, woodland and family farms. It is well suited to leisurely walks and nature stays. The views and walks offer different ways to experience the rural landscape: from the ridge, or while exploring the surrounding area on foot.

Natural areas along the Arros

The ZNIEFF “Cours de l'Arros” covers most of the Arros floodplain, from Gourgue to its confluence with the Adour in Gers. Malabat is associated with this area. The ZNIEFF “Coteaux de Capvern à Betplan” is classified as a protected site under the 1930 law; Malabat is also associated with this area. The names emphasize different features: “Cours de l'Arros” refers primarily to the river area and its floodplain, while “Coteaux de Capvern à Betplan” refers to the protected site.

The Arros runs through the area managed by the AAPPMA to which Malabat belongs, and has good fish stocks. However, no designated fishing route on a river or lake is currently listed. If fishing is part of your trip, check the current designation locally; fishing access points and route names may change. Otters and European polecats are well represented along the entire course of the Arros.

Silverwork in the town hall

Malabat town hall houses a chalice and a paten made of gilded, repoussé and chased silver. The paten is the liturgical plate that accompanies the chalice. The gilded silver chalice is richly decorated: medallions featuring faces adorn the cup and the knop, while scenes from the life of Christ decorate the foot. The cup is the bowl of the chalice, and the knop is the knob on its stem. Repoussé work shapes the silver, chasing brings out details, and gilding provides an additional surface treatment. The chalice and paten date from the middle and the second half of the 19th century, respectively, and were registered as movable cultural heritage on 18 December 2007. The date 18 December 2007 refers to the registration, not the date they were made.

Plan your visit

The village of Malabat can be visited independently and free of charge at any time. We recommend checking access conditions shortly before your visit, as access may change.

Discover more destinations: Monfort, Barran, Gée-Rivière, Terraube, Lectoure, Peyrusse-Grande, Lagarde-Hachan, Castelnau-Sur-L'auvignon.

For the main travel overview: Gers.