Living And Buying A House In Midi-Pyrénées
Buying Property Midi-Pyrénées, Occitanie In France
The departement of Midi-Pyrénées, now incorporated into the new departement of Occitanie which also encompasses Languedoc-Roussillon, offers a huge variety of landscape and climate often making it difficult for U.K. buyers to decide which departement would suit their needs best when they look for houses for sale in France. The lifestyle any area of France offers tends to be dictated by the landscape and climate so it is important to be aware of the features of an area when deciding on which part of the region will suit your lifestyle requirements. There are, of course, general features covering all of Midi-Pyrénées, one of these being that away from the capital city of Toulouse, the whole of Midi-Pyrénées is very rural and under populated. Also, being in the southern half of France the climate throughout the area is warmer and sunnier than the U.K. offers, although some departements do have pretty cold winters, especially those bordering the Pyrénées mountains such as Ariège and Haute Pyrénées. Summer temperatures throughout Midi-Pyrénées range from an average of 24 – 30 degrees with the highest average temperatures being in the northernmost departements of Lot and Tarn et Garonne.
Scenic Midi-Pyrénées
The landscape of Midi-Pyrénées varies a lot in the different departements. Some people prefer to buy a house in the rolling countryside whilst others head for the plateaux and plains and still others prefer a mountain lifestyle.
Aveyron France
This departement is in the north east of Midi-Pyrénées, situated on the edge of the Massif Central and has steep wooded valleys, fast flowing streams and rivers and in complete contrast, it also has the Aubriac plateau. Aveyron has more of the ‘most beautiful villages in France ‘ than any other French departement. Most visited feature of Aveyron is certainly the staggeringly, beautiful Millau bridge, the highest road bridge in Europe.
Lot
This is the most northerly departement and boasts the famous pilgrim town of Rocamadour, clinging to the rock face of the valley, and the nearby amazing caves at Gouffre de Padirac. The Lot valley passes through the National Regional Park of the Causses de Quercy and the river Lot adds to the beauty of the market town of Cahors which is always lively with its stalls of local produce all being sold under different coloured canopies to shade them from the summer heat. Cahors is a well loved town by Brits and other expats.
Tarn et Garonne France
Situated close to Toulouse, the architecture of much of this departement reflects the use of the red brick that Toulouse is so famous for. The lovely market town of Montauban is a really good example of a bastide town but unusually it has many red brick buildings instead of the usual stone. As you follow the Aveyron River through the departement the many little villages revert to the use of traditional stone to build the cottages and farmhouses. Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is well worth visiting and you may well recognise it from the films such as ‘Charlotte Grey’ and the ‘100 foot journey’ in which it has featured.
Gers in France
This departement is still often referred to by its old name of Gascony. It is a peaceful area with rolling countryside and fields full of sunflowers and vines. There are many pretty market towns in Gers and the capital town of Auch is definitely worth visiting. It is known as a departement with a low population and a high quality of life owing much to its local produce.
Tarn
The rolling hills and quaint villages of rural Tarn are complemented by its capital city, Albi, with its amazing red brick cathedral and famous Musée Toulouse-Lautrec. The landscape of Tarn changes considerably as you travel from North West to South East. The north is an area of peaceful countryside and medieval bastide towns and heading south you reach the more rugged scenery of the Montagnes Noir. Cordes-sur-Ciel, with its Gothic buildings and Gaillac on the banks of the River Tarn are famous places to visit.
Haute-Garonne
The capital of Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, is situated in this departement. It is known as the pink city because of the multitude of red brick buildings that glow pink as the sun sets. Toulouse is a lively city with a young population and a major airport and as such its housing is different and more expensive than in the rest of Midi-Pyrénées. The other major town in this departement is Revel which is on the edge of the Regional National Park of the Haut-Languedoc and has a very different landscape to the Toulouse area. Apart from boasting the capital city of the area, Haute-Garonne also stretches right down to the Pyrénées mountains in the south.
Ariège in France
One of the southernmost departements of Midi-Pyrénées, this area changes in its scenery considerably as you move from the flat, agricultural landscape of the north to the scenic mountains in the south. It is an area loved by hikers and cyclists because of the amazing scenery to be found every time you turn a corner. The capital of Foix and the surrounding area is famous for its caves and Cathar castles.
Haute-Pyrénées in France
Like Ariège, the landscape is flat and rolling in the north but becomes spectacular in the south as the Pyrénées mountains come into view. The countryside is dramatic, changing from gentle vineyard covered foothills to impressive mountain crags. The cirques (circular gorges) are totally awe inspiring. Lourdes is probably the most visited town in Haute-Pyrénées and sits nestled in this stunning landscape along with many other smaller towns and villages.
Property in Midi-Pyrénées France
Being a rural part of France house prices in Midi-Pyrénées remain comparatively low. There are properties to renovate from €35,000 and village houses, some to update and some ready to move into, from €75,000. With a budget of €100,000 – €200,000 you can choose from a lovely selection of cottages, farmhouses, village houses and town houses and close to the mountains there are even mountain chalets, some wooden and some built of stone.
A selection of my favourite houses in Midi-Pyrenees
Ref MM111708MD – Traditional Farmhouse In Gers France
A 2 bedroomed, traditional farmhouse in Gers for only €115,000.
USP: 1.5 Hectare of land down to a river. All original features, needs a little updating. Barn and workshop
More details for this traditional farmhouse in Ger France
Ref BVI19830 – 2 Bedroom Stone house of River Lot France
A 2 bedroomed, stone house on the banks of the River Lot in Lot for only €159,000
USP: all accommodation is high above river level
More details on this stone house in Lot France
Ref 1716 – Covered Cottage in Ariège France
3 bedroomed, wisteria covered cottage in Ariège for only €104,500
USP: close to a large lake and mountains and only 15 mins from Foix
More details for this house for sale in Ariège
Ref Lbd435
An “L” shaped, 5 bedroomed house with pool in Hautes-Pyrénées for €279,800
USP: beautifully, tastefully renovated. Stunning views
View details on this 5 bedroomed house in Hautes-Pyrénées
Ref MM292 – 3 Bedroom House in Haute-Garonne
The old presbytery with 3 bedrooms in Haute-Garonne for €184,000
USP: Hillside location with views to Pyrénées, quirky interior retaining all original
Features, Only 1 hour from Toulouse
Find out more about this 3 Bedroom house in Haute-Garonne
Ref 1975 – Restored Mountain House
Beautifully restored mountain house. I bedroom. In Ariège for €160,000
USP: Barn, garden and the most magnificent location
View details of this mountain house for sale in France
Ref NT4209 – Village House In Haute-Pyrénées
Mountain village house to update in Haute-Pyrénées for only €49,000
USP: a lot of the house is already habitable. The views from the property are incredible
View further details of this village house in France
