What is it like living in these areas.....

[P]

Think we have finally found a house to buy [:)]- from a choice of two [:D].

Thought it would be useful to ask if anyone using this forum lives near where the properties are and can give us an idea of what it is like living in these two areas.

One house is a couple of kilometres to the south of Ste Dode (Gers), which is about 8 kms to the east of Mielan.

The other is in Salerm (Haute Garonne) (some of the signs spell it Salherm) which is to the south east of L'isle en Dodon and about 6 kms north from Lilhac.

Any info would be most welcome, including places to walk, leisure lakes etc.

Thanks

Paul

[Patf]

We live in the Gers and are moving soon nearer to Mielan, .There is a leisure lake at Mielan - perhaps you already know But it closes in the autumn.. As for walks, there's plenty of choice in the area or from your 2nd house, you are quite near the Pyrenees . Not far from the first one either. Suggest you buy the blue series of maps for the 2 areas which will show the walking routes. You can buy them in any newsagents.  For shopping we will continue to go to Mirande, market day on Monday. Pat.

[PaulT]

Thanks Pat.

Yes, we had spotted the lake, which seemed very nice.

What is the weather like during the year?

Will look out for the blue series of maps when we are over next week.

Paul

 

 

[Patf]

What is the weather like? You get extremes here, from weeks of temperatures in the 30s in the summer to heavy frosts and snow in Jan/Feb and sometimes temperatures down to -12. Also lots of dramatic thunder storms sometimes with hailstones like golfballs. We were told - don't know if it's true - that in the corridor north and south of Lannemazan you get more than the average rainfall. But more often than not the sun is shining and we have very little wind. Pat.

[P]

Thanks for the info Pat.

When we were over last Frriday and Saturday the temp shown in the car got to a max of 31 but for a fair amount of time was 28 (at least on the Friday).

Sounds a nice combination although our dog will not be too impressed by thunderstorms [:-))]- the time to get very frightened.

Paul

[Bob T]

Not exactly the same area that you are looking, but I live in the Dordogne 20 miles south of Perigueux. Rather than go into the weather here, you may be interested in my blog.

[hugh]

It's absolutely gorgeous round Salherm. There are plenty of places to wallk and also lakes and there's even a Scottish pub just opened at Lilhac (though with a population of about 20 it seems diffiuclt to see how he will make a living!) and he's hoping to open a retsaurant too. Great views of the Pyrenees and rolling countryside. There is a boulangerie at the bottom of the hill at St Laurent.

One thing to look out for is a proposal to build a seemingly huge holiday complex in the forest at Fabas. That might be a good thing or a bad thing but naturally the NIMBYs are out in force (well, about 30 of them). There's a public meeting at Fabas this very afternoon. Fuller details at www.vivreencomminges.abri.com

[P]

Thanks Hugh - you certainly make the area sound appealing.

Yes, did know about the pub, did not have time to check it out the other week [:(] - aim on checking it out for a swift one this Friday evening [:D].

would be interested to know more about the Fabas complex .

Regards

Paul

[P]

Thanks for all your answers.

We opted to buy a property which is just outside the village of Salerm - went over and signed the Compris on the 03/11.

Just hope the pub remains in business - it seems that the owners have quite a strong clientele due to various playing teams that they have.

Paul