Ruined Chateau de Gauchepuy
The Gers is a lovely gentle argricultural area, surprisingly little known to foreigners, with one of the lowest population densities in Europe. Its gentle rolling hills are sometimes compared (in summer at least) to Tuscany, and its many small villages preserve a good deal of mediaeval architecture, timbered buildings, covered markets and arcades, old churches, dovecotes, and much else. The few small towns, generally with a cathedral and old centre, add to the feeling that you really are in ‘la France profonde’.
There’s a range of activities in the area to suit different ages and inclinations. In the house we have left a Guide which sets out in some detail local attractions, restaurants, and other suggestions for the energetic and the less so. Or you may prefer simply to make the most of the lovely pool and house.
Sports include tennis, swimming, riding, trotting races, walking, cycling, boating, kayaking, go-karting, theme parks and much more. There’s even bull-fighting, now declared a national treasure, in the style of South-west France.
An iris farm near Laplume
Cultural activities. There are numerous local churches and cathedrals worth a visit and within easy reach, as well as interesting village architecture of the medieval period and later, and some good museums. In the summer, in particular, there are concerts and exhibitions in surrounding towns. At Christmas Miradoux and other nearby villages display ‘creches’ or nativity scenes which attract many visitors. For Christmas 2010 the theme for participating villages was ‘Cities of Europe’.
Trotting races at Auch
Local restaurants range in price and style from simple bars and brasseries to Michelin-starred. In the house guide we list some of the many possibilities, as well as timings of local markets and other shops. The local specialities are goose, duck, garlic and Armagnac (2011 is said to be the 700th anniversary of its first manufacture), and there is decent, though not outstanding, local wine.
Here we mention just a few possibilities: cathedrals at Condom, Auch and the great churches of St Sermin and the church of the Jacobins in Toulouse (Toulouse was an unsuccessful contender for European Capital of Culture 2013); the pilgrim village of La Romieu and the nearby garden of La Coursiana; Romanesque churches at Layrac and Moirax; museums at Agen and Toulouse; medieval villages all around but particularly Larresangle, Fourcès, Auvillar; the restaurant at Bardigues, another two good ones at nearby Astaffort, and the station bistrot at Agen; second-hand shops near Auch and Agen; walking either from Miradoux itself or for example along the 19th century canal that runs via Agen; trotting races in Auch and elsewhere; we could go on…..and in fact our House Guide does so!
Lectoure market
Miradoux House for Rent 