Friday 29 March 2024

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Tuesday 27 June 2023 - Special weekend of events: Lupiac commemorates the death of d'Artagnan.

Sunday 25 June 2023 marked the 350th anniversary of d'Artagnan's death. His home village of Lupiac marked the occasion with a special weekend of events.

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The week-end was part of the 2023 programme "Autour de d'Artagnan dans le Gers"



Born in Lupiac around the year 1613, d'Artagnan died in Maastricht in the Netherlands on 25 June 1673, 350 years ago.

This was an opportunity to celebrate, over the course of an special weekend, the exceptional career of this child of Lupiac and his elevation to the rank of universal myth through the work of Alexandre Dumas and all those who have subsequently drawn inspiration from him, particularly in comic strips.

Friday 23 June

More than 70 guests, many in period costume, enjoyed a magnificent and hearty "Grand Siècle Buffet" at the foot of the equestrian statue of d'Artagnan: Gascon pâté en croûte, fish escabeche with Colombard, marinated and grilled cockerel wings and crests, square pea cassole, poached peaches with sweet spices, to name just a few dishes.... All washed down with local wines and, to finish, a brûlot of Armagnac.

A buffet served by Thibault Lagoutte from the Auberge La Baquère in Préneron (www.aubergelabaquere.com) and member of the Ronde des mousquetaires (www.mousquetaires.org).

The buffet will be offered again on Fridays 14 July and 11 August. Book early with the Musée d'Artagnan (Tel 05 62 09 24 09).

Saturday 24 June - morning

A fascinating exhibition entitled "Les Trois Mousquetaires héros de BD" (The Three Musketeers as Comic Book Heroes) opened at the Musée d'Artagnan, with two guided tours. The exhibition, on show until 12 November, shows how the popularity of Dumas' masterpiece is nowhere more evident than in comic strips, and all over the world.

An exhibition by Patrick de Jacquelot of www.pastichesdumas.com's fame, with a superb original poster designed by two talented young artists, Juliette Brocal (www.instagram.com/cy_lindric/) et Camille Leto (camilleleto.carrd.co), from Collectif Les Dumariolles (www.instagram.com/dumariolles/).

Saturday 24 June - afternoon

An afternoon of lectures entitled "À nous mousquetaires" (To Us Musketeers) allowed a very attentive audience to delve into the history of d'Artagnan and the King's Musketeers, as well as discovering lesser-known aspects of "d'Artagnan-mania" through four fascinating presentations:

  • "La mort de d'Artagnan" (The dath of d'Artagnan), by Odile Bordaz, historian and heritage curator, leading biographer of d'Artagnan
  • D’Artagnan, quelle trogne ?”, or the face of d'Artagnan, by Jean-René Cazeneuve
  • "The King's Musketeers (1622-1815): the origins of the myth", by Julien Wilmart, Doctor of History, leading historian of the King's Musketeers.
  • Three musketeers plus one: all for the myth, the myth for all !” or the myth of the Three Musketeers through literature and comics, by Patrick de Jacquelot of www.pastichesdumas.com's fame.

The audience asked us to repeat the experience. So, stay tuned...

Sunday 25 June - daytime

A merry band of walkers set off in the morning (not too early) "in the footsteps of d'Artagnan" from the village square through fields, lanes and woods, with a pleasant coffee break halfway through in the grounds of Castelmore Castle, d'Artagnan's birthplace. On the way back, the group was able to quench their thirst and eat sandwiches in the shade of the plane trees at the refreshment bar run by the D'Artagnan chez d'Artagnan association.

Two groups of curious visitors, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, followed two rich and fascinating guided tours of Lupiac, discovering the history, architecture and life of the village where d'Artagnan was born, as well as its church and mill. Organised as part of the Journées du patrimoine de pays et des moulins. And the way back was through the refreshment bar!

Sunday 25 June - evening

The weekend ended in style with "Merci Monsieur Dumas" (Thank-you Mister Dumas), a grand sound and light show.

A large crowd turned out to watch a dynamic and colourful show on two stages set up in front of the town hall. The show recalls and celebrates the role played by Alexandre Dumas and his collaborator Auguste Maquet in making the best-known Gascon, d'Artagnan, a household name.

A show full of action and humour written especially for the occasion by Michel Olivier, master of arms with the Lames sur Seine troupe.

The show not only dazzled the young and not-so-young who crowded into the village square.

It also honoured the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity so closely associated with d'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers.

Three troupes came together and intermingled on stage after two days of intense, good-humoured rehearsals: The Lames sur Seine, a show fencing troupe from the Paris region (www.escrime-artistique.com); The Boîte à jouer, leading theatre troupe from the Gers, based in Condom (www.laboiteajouer.fr); and the Horde lupiacoise, the theatre section of Lupiac's D’Artagnan chez d’Artagnan association (www.dartagnanchezdartagnan.org).

And stage, chairs and benches were kindly lent by the municipalities of Vic-Fezensac, Justian, L’Isle-de-Noé et Lupiac.

All for one, one for all !

Archives

Thursday 04 May 2023 - Reconnaissance d'état de catastrophe naturelle

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(Available in French only)

Par arrêté interministériel du 03 avril 2023, publié au journal officiel du 03 mai 2023, la commune de Lupiac a été reconnue sinistrée pour le phénomène de sècheresse et réhydratation des sols survenu au cours de l'année 2022.

Vous disposez à compter de mercredi 03 mai 2023, d'un délai de 30 jours pour déposer un dossier de prise en charge des sinistres auprès de votre compagnie d'assurances.

Wednesday 14 December 2022 - "Little Nicholas" (Le Petit Nicolas) is a star, thanks to Lupiac

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At the local cinema they are showing a great film with musketeers. I am going to ask Dad for money to go tomorrow, but as I got zero in grammar...

But Little Nicholas brilliantly answers the question "a character made famous by a novel was born in Lupiac - who was he, what are his birth and death dates, where did he die?"

This is worth money for the cinema and the admiration of his father!


Listen to the France Culture podcast (In French - Saison 2, Épisode 8/10 "1611-1673", 6 minutes) on the Radio France web site:

Thursday 01 December 2022 - Drought – Water Restrictions

Water restrictions applicable to the commune of Lupiac are in force until 28 january 2023.

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The following is a summary of what you need to know as an individual householder in using water from the town water supply. Specific and significant restrictions also apply to agricultural, commercial and industrial uses of water on which further information is available (in French) at the address at the foot of this item.

Vehicles

Washing vehicles is prohibited other than in a professional facility equipped with water saving measures. Exceptions also exist for vehicles subject to a legal requirement (eg vehicles used for health purposes or to transport food) or technical imperatives (cement truck…) and for public security bodies.

Outdoor cleaning

The use of water to clean terraces, roofs or external walls is prohibited other than in the course of building work.

Roads

Washing is forbidden other than for public health reasons or in the course of road works. Automatic road scrubber/sweepers are also exempt.

Swimming Pools

Annual filling of home and hotel swimming pools is prohibited. Draining of public swimming pools must be specially authorised.

Ornamental Gardens (lawns, public and private parks, flower gardens, sports grounds)

Watering prohibited.

Vegetable gardens.

Watering permitted.

Fountains

Must be turned off, including those operating on a closed circuit.

Recreational Water Facilities

Filling and topping up of public or private bodies of water regardless of surface area is prohibited. Drainage of bodies of water into water courses is also prohibited.


For more information

Tuesday 01 November 2022 - Drought – Water Restrictions "crisis level"

Water restrictions applicable to the commune of Lupiac from Saturday 27 August 2022, initially until 31 October 2022, remain in force until 30 november 2022.

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The following is a summary of what you need to know as an individual householder in using water from the town water supply. Specific and significant restrictions also apply to agricultural, commercial and industrial uses of water on which further information is available (in French) at the address at the foot of this item and by consulting the relevant Arrêté Préfectoral (Arrêté Préfectoral 32-2022-10-28-00003 réglementant les prélèvements d'eau et les usages de l'eau dans le département du Gers sur les bassins versants de la Gélise et de l’Auzoue). The list of all communes concerned can be found in the Arrêté.

Vehicles

Washing vehicles is prohibited other than in a professional facility equipped with water saving measures. Exceptions also exist for vehicles subject to a legal requirement (eg vehicles used for health purposes or to transport food) or technical imperatives (cement truck…) and for public security bodies.

Outdoor cleaning

The use of water to clean terraces, roofs or external walls is prohibited other than in the course of building work.

Roads

Washing is forbidden other than for public health reasons or in the course of road works. Automatic road scrubber/sweepers are also exempt.

Swimming Pools

Annual filling of home and hotel swimming pools is prohibited. Draining of public swimming pools must be specially authorised. Topping up of home swimming pools including above ground pools, spas and similar is also prohibited regardless of the volume of water involved.

Ornamental Gardens (lawns, public and private parks, flower gardens, sports grounds)

Watering prohibited.

Vegetable gardens.

Watering permitted only between 20:00 and 08:00 (between 8pm and 8am).

Fountains

Must be turned off, including those operating on a closed circuit.

Recreational Water Facilities

Filling and topping up of public or private bodies of water regardless of surface area is prohibited. Drainage of bodies of water into water courses is also prohibited.


For more information

Tuesday 30 August 2022 - Drought – Water Restrictions "crisis level"

New water restrictions applicable to the commune of Lupiac came into force at 08:00 (8am) on Saturday 27 August 2022. They apply until 31 October 2022 inclusive, unless otherwise modified, in all areas of the Gers where rivers are recharged with water from the Neste system.

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The following is a summary of what you need to know as an individual householder in using water from the town water supply. Specific and significant restrictions also apply to agricultural, commercial and industrial uses of water on which further information is available (in French) at the address at the foot of this item and by consulting the relevant Arrêté Préfectoral (Arrêté Préfectoral 32-2022-08-26-00002 portant limitation des prélèvements d'eau sur l'ensemble des axes réalimentés du système Neste). The list of all communes concerned can be found in the Arrêté.

Vehicles

Washing vehicles is prohibited other than in a professional facility equipped with water saving measures. Exceptions also exist for vehicles subject to a legal requirement (eg vehicles used for health purposes or to transport food) or technical imperatives (cement truck…) and for public security bodies.

Outdoor cleaning

The use of water to clean terraces, roofs or external walls is prohibited other than in the course of building work.

Roads

Washing is forbidden other than for public health reasons or in the course of road works. Automatic road scrubber/sweepers are also exempt.

Swimming Pools

Annual filling of home and hotel swimming pools is prohibited. Draining of public swimming pools must be specially authorised. Topping up of home swimming pools including above ground pools, spas and similar is also prohibited regardless of the volume of water involved.

Ornamental Gardens (lawns, public and private parks, flower gardens, sports grounds)

Watering prohibited.

Vegetable gardens.

Watering permitted only between 20:00 and 08:00 (between 8pm and 8am).

Fountains

Must be turned off, including those operating on a closed circuit.

Recreational Water Facilities

Filling and topping up of public or private bodies of water regardless of surface area is prohibited. Drainage of bodies of water into water courses is also prohibited.


For more information

Saturday 30 July 2022 - French Minister for Culture in Lupiac

Ms Rima Abdul Malak, French Minister for Culture, discovers Lupiac and volunteers of the association organising the D'Artagnan festival

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Wednesday 08 December 2021 - Lupiac - "Petite cité de caractère" on France 3 Midi-Pyrénées TV channel

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During 3 hours on Monday 6 December 2021, a journalist and cameraman from France 3 Toulouse filmed in Lupiac, following the village's induction into the Petite cité de caractère® network.

Their report was broadcast on Wednesday 8 December 2021 on France 3 Midi-Pyrénées in their midday news bulletin, the "12/13 Midi-Pyrénées" (starts at 14 mins).

Tuesday 09 November 2021 - Lupiac and d'Artagnan on Arte.tv

A 14 minutes subject looking at d'Artagnan's legacy is available online on Arte.tv

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The Tuesday 16 November 2021 episode of "Invitation au voyage" includes a 14 minutes subject looking at d'Artagnan's legacy. A subject for which Miri Paturel, Journalist-Director, and her cameraman filmed for 4 days, from 03 to 06 June 2021.

They caught on film:

  • The castle of Castelmore, d'Artagnan's birthplace in Lupiac, with Mr. jacques Lapart as a guide
  • Musketeers on horseback galloping in Lupiac in the footsteps of d'Artagnan, with the association "Randonneurs d'Aignan en Val d'Adour" (RAVA)
  • Training and rehearsals of the Lupiac Stage fencing troupe "Les lames lupiacoises", at the foot of Lupiac's equestrian statue of d'artagnan
  • The Company of the musketeers of armagnac at the Domain Tariquet in Eauze
  • Mrs. Odile Bordaz (historian - the d'Artagnan specialist), who made a special trip from Paris to Auch and Lupiac to tell about her favorite musketeer
  • The village of Lupiac, its equestrian statue, members of the local association "D'Artagnan chez d'Artagnan".

Lupiac and d'Artagnan in "Invitation au voyage". Broadcast live on ARTE TV Tuesday 16 November at 1740 (5.40 pm). Already available online on Arte.tv (in French only - starts at 18 mins 25 secs):

Monday 27 September 2021 - Lupiac inducted as "Petite cité de caractère" ("Small town of character").

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Lupiac is the first place in the Gers to join the French Petites Cités de caractère network, for which the admission conditions are particularly demanding.

The network brings together some 200 small towns and villages committed to using their remarkable heritage as a tool for development.

The annual general meeting of the Occitanie chapter of the Petites Cités de Caractère was held on Saturday 25 September 2021 in Ambialet (Tarn). It was followed by induction into the network of three new members: Séverac d'Aveyron (Aveyron), Collioure (Pyrénées Orientales) and Lupiac (Gers).


Picture caption (from left to right): Nathalie Marty (first deputy mayor of Sévérac d'Aveyron), Jean-Pierre Gillery (deputy mayor of Collioure), Jean-Pierre Lefloch (president of the Occitanie chapter of the Petites Cités de Caractère network) and Véronique Thieux-Louit (mayor of Lupiac) sign the paperwok for entry into the network. Ambialet (Tarn), Saturday 25 September 2021.

For more information on the Petites cités de caractère® network:

Thursday 22 July 2021 - Attention : Summer 2021 - Swimming prohibited until further notice!

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Due to staff shortage, swimming is prohibited at Lake Lacoste until further notice.

Any person holding the "Brevet National de Sécurité et de Sauvetage (BNSSA)" lifesaving certificate and interested in a job as a lifeguard in Lupiac for the summer of 2021 is invited to contact the Lupiac municipal offices (mairie).

Contact details :

Monday 05 July 2021 - Lupiac awarded the "Petite cité de caractère" label

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Lupiac is proud to be the first village in the Gers to be labelled "Petite cité de caractère" and thus recognised for its historical past and the quality of its heritage.

Born in Brittany in the mid-1970s, the Petites Cités de Caractère® concept promotes rural communes of less than 6,000 inhabitants with a history and heritage of quality.

The Petites Cités de Caractère® quality charter, commits the communes to an active policy of safeguarding, maintaining and restoring their tangible and intangible heritage.

Lupiac offers a remarkable, enhanced and animated heritage for all to discover.

Sunday 06 June 2021 - Arte TV channel visits d'Artagnan's castle in Lupiac

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The team of "Invitation au voyage" (Invitation to travel), one of the pillar programs of the cultural action of the French-German TV channel Arte, filmed in Lupiac at Castelmore castle, birthplace of d'Artagnan.

Sunday 04 April 2021 - D'Artagnan and Lupiac on Arte TV channel on 10 April

The True Story of D'Artagnan, Saturday 10 April at 20:50 (8.50 p.m.) on Arte TV channel

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Discover the true story of Charles de Batz de Castelmore, known as d'Artagnan, who inspired Dumas' intrepid musketeer.

A film by Caroline Vermalle and Augustin Viatte, directed by Augustin Viatte.

Shot in part in Lupiac, with the participation of several Lupiac men and women.

A production by Arte France, Gedeon Programmes.

Thursday 10 January 2019 - Discover d'Artagnan's fireplace

The fireplace of Castelmore Castle, d'Artagnan's birthplace, on TV channel TF1

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An appealing story made it to TF1's main news program on Thursday 10 January: the story of the fireplace at Castelmore Castle, the fireplace around which D'Artagnan warmed up and sat in his childhood.

With the participation of the members of the local d'Artagnan association of Lupiac (Association D'Artagnan chez d'Artagnan), and the horse riders of the RAVA association (Randonneurs d'Aignan en Val d'Adour) of nearby Aignan.