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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The monumental staircase of Auch is an iconic 19th-century walkway in the Gers Prefecture, Occitanie. Built between 1858 and 1863 by prefect Paul Féart and archbishop Antoine de Salinis, it aims to modernize the city after the political tensions of 1851. The building, composed of 374 local limestone steps, connects Salinis Square near Sainte-Marie Cathedral to Sadi-Carnot Boulevard, spanning a 35-metre elevation. Its architecture, inspired by Italian stairs like those of the Villa Garzoni, incorporates terraces, fountains and gardens, while highlighting the gascon heritage.

The project was born in a context of social reconciliation after the repression of the Auscitan insurgents in 1851, where 338 inhabitants were deported to Algeria. The prefect Féart offers great works to embellish Auch and create jobs, including water supply, gas lighting, and the clearance of the cathedral. The staircase, inaugurated in 1863, became a symbol of this urban transformation, although its structural fragility (friable materials, floods of 1897 and 1977) required further restoration. The stones come from the Serrot quarries and demolished buildings, such as the old canonine.

Ranked a historic monument in 1994 and a remarkable site since 1943, the monumental staircase incorporates artistic elements such as the statue of Artagnan (1931) by Firmin Michelet or the Observatory of the Time of Jaume Plensa, commemorating the floods of 1977. Its converging and divergent flights, balustrades and terraces make it a masterpiece of Second Empire urban planning, while serving as a social link between the upper and lower districts. Local materials, such as the blonde stone of Gers, and recent plantations (vines of Saint-Mont, trees of Judea) reinforce its gascon anchor.

The staircase is stylistically inspired by other European works, such as those of the Bom Jesus in Portugal or the Saint Charles station in Marseilles, but is distinguished by its landscape integration and its historical role. The rehabilitation works, supported by the Heritage Foundation since 2009, aim to preserve this fragile monument, a witness to the urban ambitions of the 19th century and the resilience of Auch. Its classification not only protects the structure, but also its surroundings, including Salinis Square and terraced gardens.

Beyond its practical function, the monumental staircase embodies the collective memory of Auscitain, from revolts of 1851 to natural disasters. It also illustrates the alliance between political power (the prefect Féart), religious (Mgr de Salinis) and technical (the architect Leopold Gentil), although he did not see his initial project realized. Today, there remains a place for walking and contemplation, offering a panoramic view of the Lower Town and the Gers River, while celebrating the Gasconic identity through figures like d'Artagnan.

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