AUCH, a city of France, the capital of the coun-
ty of Armagnac, now the department of Gers, and the
metropolis of all Gascony. The archbishop formerly
assumed the title of primate of Aquitain. It lies on the
summit and declivity of a very steep hill, which is sur-
rounded by other hills that rise at a small distance; and
through the vale below runs a rivulet, called the Gers.
The inhabitants amount to 8800; the buildings are mod-
ern and elegant; the streets, though in general narrow,
yet are clean and well paved. In the centre of the
city stands the cathedral, which is one of the most mag-
nificent in France, both as to its construction and the
internal decorations. The painted windows are only
inferior to those of Gouda in Holland. The chapels
are of equal beauty, and ornamented at a prodigious
expense. The revenues of the see of Auch amounted
formerly to three hundred thousand livres per annum.
It contains manufactures of serge and the coarse wool-
lens called barat; there are also tanneries, and the en-
virois are noted for producing the excellent pear called
bon chretien.