Its hilly landscapes, its greenery and its breathtaking view of the Pyrenees are a delight on social networks.
Nicknamed “the little French Tuscany”, Gers knows how to use its gentle way of life to seduce Internet users, particularly on Instagram, where the departmental council is the French champion in the category.
According to the Digital Public Communications Observatory which measures the presence of departments and territories on social networks, the official Instagram page of the Gers departmental council won the title at the end of December for the most efficient department on Instagram.
An account with 500,000 views and 24,000 subscribers
In 2023, the Instagram account @gersledepartement displays 500,000 views, 24,000 subscribers, 90,000 interactions and a significant increase in the number of subscribers with 7,000 additional Internet users.
Sunflower fields, sunsets, local gastronomy, the account publishes varied photos that promote the department.
“It started with Covid where we communicated a lot and obtained good visibility on Instagram,” explains Léo Puyau, communications advisor to the president of the Gers departmental council.
We have our own photographers but also photos sent by the Gersois who photograph a territory by what identifies them.
But 24,000 subscribers is a lot for a department which only has 190,000 inhabitants!
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The photo that hit the hardest last year was that of a doe in the middle of the vines.
Social networks thus allow this territory to attract new inhabitants and to highlight public policy.