The ‘Auscii’, a Celtic Iberian tribe who lived in Aquitaine before the arrival of the Romans, resided at the top of the hill when 50 years BC, the legions of Crassus, one of Caesar’s lieutenant, took hold of the oppidum.

During the Pax Romana, the population, no longer requiring any protection, spread in the valley hence founding an important Gallo-Roman city, Augusta Auscorum, in the Province of Novempopulania.

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city and the whole region came under Visigothic then Merovingian and Carolingian domination. During this era of insecurity and ordeals of different kinds, the institutions of medieval France were put together. Amongst the invaders were the Vascons who, in the 6th century, gave their name to the old Roman province: Vascony, future Gascony in which Auch became its archiepiscopal see. The big invasions pushed the population back to the oppidum and Auch changed to the typical aspect of a medieval city from which it has kept numerous marks: during this period, the city saw pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Auch did not change much until the 18th century when Intendant d’Etigny transformed and embellished it. The huge urbanisation work carried out during the Second Empire gave Auch, at last, the aspect of a modern city.

Today, visitors can admire its prestigious heritage.