THE word "musketeers" brings to mind sword wielding men with feathered hats on horses but Aymeri de Montesquiou d'Artagnan, descendant of Charles dit d'Artagnan, the hero of The Three Musketeers, says that while musketeers of today partake of safer activities ("We dont carry any swords or ride on horses!"), they still uphold the same values as their predecessors.

"We try to retain the same values, we love life, we like to serve our country, we like things that make life pleasant," says the top commander of Compagnie des Mousquetaires d'Armagnac, based in Ausch, Gascony, since 1981.

The company was founded in 1951 and includes musketeers from all walks of life who come together to live their childhood dreams. Its objectives are to foster friendship and camaraderie, promote culinary art and gastronomic excellence and encourage the development of young talent in the hospitality industry.