A French municipality belonging to the Gers department, Auch is historically and culturally located in the Pays d'Auch. Home to more than 22,000 inhabitants called Auscitains, the town is renowned for its rugby team (FC Auch Gers), which has long been part of the elite. Auch also houses a statue of d'Artagnan sitting above the Gers that separates the upper and lower towns. The city is considered the historic capital of the province of Gascony.