Miramont-de-Guyenne: a bustling medieval market town

photo: Miramont office de tourismeMany people are taking the decision to buy property abroad, either as a second home for themselves, as an investment property to rent out during the year, or as a holiday home for the family. Property in France is extremely popular: the more relaxed pace of life in the warmer climate of a region such as Lot-et-Garonne in south western France, is very appealing.

Miramont-de-Guyenne, often simply called Miramont, is one of the historic towns in the heart of Lot-et-Garonne that’s an ideal place to look for properties for sale. This bustling medieval bastide town, originally founded in 1278 by the English king Edward I, was built on a site previously used as a refuge and look-out post for the Knights Templar. It had been owned by the Duke of Lauzun, but these lands were captured by the English in the period of history just before the 100 years war.

Miramont suffered heavy damage during the conflict and today many of the arcades that once graced its central square are missing, supported instead by ancient stone pillars. After the war was over the French reclaimed their lands and Charles VIII gave Miramont a full statute, making it a royal bastide town. A popular, off the beaten track holiday destination, visitors to the town find the history that goes back to the days of knights and chivalry fascinating. It’s a perfect place to own a holiday property in France, as you will never be short of people who want to experience historical rural France at its best.

The name of the town comes from the French word ‘mire’, which means ‘to gaze’, and the French word ‘mont’, meaning ‘mount’, or ‘hill’. Like the nearby medieval bastide towns of Eyemet and Monflonquin, Miramont is laid out on a grid system, with a central square and a fine church with an unusually tall spire, setting it apart from the French houses around it.

If you’re looking for property to buy in France and you want to live in the heart of an ancient small town like this, you may have to be patient as this sort of property in France is highly prized.

A thriving rural centre with excellent travel links

Miramont is not just a quaint place to visit: the town also provides an excellent selection of local shops, restaurants, and cafes, and is renowned for its markets. These take place regularly during the week, with special celebratory markets on special occasions, such as the Collections Market in November, the Advent Market in early December, a flea market in May and September, and a celebration of the summer solstice in June when bonfires are lit according to ancient tradition.

Buy your shoes in Miramont!

Miramont-de-Guyenne is also famous for another reason, rather less medieval: it is one of the foremost shoe producing regions of France, making it an area of high employment. The shoe business started here in the mid 1800s, when a returning local who had been to Tunisia invented a sheepskin ‘clog’ that became extremely popular. The cottage industry that grew up to produce it evolved into the modern shoe making factories of the 20th century. Miramont is now known all over the world as a quality shoe centre.

Other thriving trades in the area include wine production, with many vineyards on the nearby hillsides, making this a canny place to invest in property in France as prices are showing a definite upward trend.

The many vineyards contribute to the general appeal of the countryside around Miramont, which is some of the most beautiful in France. It provides plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling and enjoying the rural peace, but there are good road links giving easy access to the large cities of Toulouse and Bordeaux, with Spain and the coast not too far away.

If you decide to invest in French property, Lot-et-Garonne is a great place to start looking for properties for sale, particularly if you intend to combine quiet living with some of the excitement of urban culture and travel.