Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Castles in Gascony

The province of Gers, also known as Gascony to the historically or romantically inclined, is becoming an ideal place to find property for sale in South-West France. Most people who are in the market for such a Gascony property are those who are looking for vacation homes to escape to during the summer holidays.

Castles in Gascony are amongst the many choices for these vacation-home hunters. According to various tourism reports, there are more than 500 castles in Gers, and many of these castles date back to the 12th century or older. Whilst a number of them stand in ruins, many of them have been restored by historical societies in Gers and now serve a variety of functions including museums and cultural centres. Many of them, on the other hand, are owned privately.

Medieval Castles: A Testament to Gascony’s Colourful History

You may ask why there are so many castles in Gascony. To find the answer to that question, you need to look at Gascony’s medieval past. Historically, Gers was part of the Roman province of Aquitania, and it was a province that Romans acquired through war and conquest. The territory fell to various rulers over the years until it was united with the Duchy of Aquitaine during the Middle Ages.

In feudal times, a duchy covers large tracts of land. The Duchy of Aquitaine historically accounted for nearly a third of the whole of modern France. A duchy of that size had many vassals, who controlled parts of the duchy under the authority of the duke, and these vassals had their own vassals. The medieval castles in Gascony were the fortifications that these vassals built as homes and as protection of their land.

Medieval Castles: A Great Gascony Property to Own

If you are looking for a property for sale in South-West France, you may want to consider purchasing a medieval castle as your potential Gascony property. A castle in Gascony makes an ideal choice for a vacation home. They are isolated enough to grant you the peace and quiet that you seek when you go on a holiday. Castles in Gers stand surrounded by natural beauty that take your mind away from the stress of life in the city.

However, just because you are staying in a castle, it does not mean that you would be totally isolated. Invariably there will be a town or a village within a few minutes of the castle. If you need anything, all you need to do is to drive or ride a bicycle.

Also, any castle in Gers that you find listed as property for sale in South-West France is more than likely to be fitted with modern accoutrements to ensure that your stay there will be comfortable. The kitchens and bathrooms in these castles will be modernised, and there will be centralised heating and air conditioning.

Most importantly, you can profit from having such a property. Gers is a popular tourist destination in South-West France. Whilst you are not staying in your castle you can rent it out to other tourists. After all, many holiday-goers find the idea of vacationing in a castle a romantic one.

Property South West France - Browse our luxury selection of property South West France with Gers properties, properties in Landes, property Tarn and Garonne, Gascony properties, property Gers, and Lot and Garonne properties.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

GERS -- Home of D’Artagnan

D’Artagnan, the fourth musketeer of Dumas’ Three Musketeers, came from Gers, a landlocked area of rolling hills and pretty hilltop villages in the south-west of France, within easy reach of the Atlantic coast or the Pyrenees. Gers, one of the most rural areas in western Europe and relatively undiscovered, is the French home of pate de foie gras, and has a balmy and dry climate. It is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790, and was created from parts of the former provinces of Guyenne and Gascony. It is also one of the sunniest areas of France. The typical landscape consists of fields of sunflowers and maize. Auch, the capital of the department, is one of the hottest cities in France, and boasts more than 300 sunny days in the year. It is the site of a glorious gothic cathedral, Sainte Marie, dated 1489, which features a carved choir and beautiful stained glass windows. A statue of the man upon whom Dumas based his character of D’Artagnan, wearing a plumed hat and carrying a rapier, stands in the main square.

Gers is bordered by the Hautes-Pyrenees to the south, Tarn to the east, Tarn-et-Garonne to the north-east and Landes to the west on the sea.

The many attractive hilltop villages called bastides were founded during the Hundred Years War between England and France, mainly in South-Western France. They were fortified by the counts of Toulouse against marauding English soldiers from the adjoining region of Aquitaine, once an English possession. The church which was either included in the village, or built nearby, served as a keep and observation post. They were new towns, laid out in a rectangular grid .mainly set up on frontier and disputed lands, to establish a border and a defensive presence. People were subsidised to settle there, in a manner very similar to the kibbutz settlements in Israel. Bastides were originally walled towns, centred around a market square, with the houses set in narrow streets.

Pleasure boating, fishing and waterskiing are some of the sports available on the many lakes and rivers in the area; the River Baise is navigable from Valence sur Baise to Condom and it is now possible to join the Canal of the Garonne.

In addition to foie gras, goose and duck confit, the gastronomical specialties of the region are Armagnac brandy, Cotes de Gascogne wines (fresh fruity dry whites), Floc de Gascogne, and wild mushrooms. In this corner of France, more than in almost any other part of Europe, the discovery of America has had an obvious effect on the food. From the early sixteenth century, when they were first introduced, maize, pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers have gradually taken over a large part of the best dishes of daily life. For instance, tomato dishes are made more piquant with the addition of peppers and chillies, particularly in pipérade, where they are combined with scrambled eggs. This part of France is rich in game as well. The markets reflect the rich agricultural nature of the department and are full of colourful vegetables and delightful fruit. Night markets are held in July and August so that people can shop in the cooler time of day.

There are three thermal spas, Barbotan-les-Thermes, Castera-Verduzan, and the roman town of Lectoure.

The nearest international airport is Toulouse

Monday, September 15, 2008

Buying Property in South West France

Buying Property in South West France


Are you interested in buying real estate in France? You are in luck because there are many people selling land in France. You don’t even need to contact a real estate agent in France to find the houses for sale in France or the land for sale in France? You can search online for property in France.

What part of France are you thinking about? South of France property is hard for even the most discerning property investor to resist. You will find property for sale in southern France to be very, well, French. You will find Gascony maisons to be of classic French style or properties for sale in Gers to be antique and castle-like. In fact, many of the properties in Gers date back to the 13th Century.

Are you looking for holiday homes for sale in France? Take a look at Tarn et Garonne properties. You can find quaint apartments or isolated, out of the way homes for sale in Tarn et Garonne. Perhaps you prefer to holiday in one of the properties in Landes or a Gascony property. There are no limits to the wonderful holiday property to buy in France.

Haute Garonne properties for sale are a great place to start your search for homes in France. You may find property in Condom more to your liking. Homes for sale in Lot and Garonne are very nice, too, as are houses for sale in Les Landes. France countryside homes for sale make wonderful vacation homes in France.

Some of the best France investment property can be found in maison Gascony and maison Landes. Buy haute Garonne property for some of the best investments because of the proximity to the vineyards. There are many houses for sale in Gers that are large enough to turn into a France investment property.

If you have your heart set on homes for sale in the south of France, but you are on a budget, try looking for houses for renovation in France. You can find property in France under 100K that need very little work, which you could seek advice from a real estate agent in France about French contractors. There are some wonderful and affordable properties for sale in Tarn and homes for sale in Condom.

Haute Garonne luxury properties and real estate in Gascony, as well as Gers properties, are the more popular of the south of France property. Following closely in popularity are houses for sale in Miradoux south west France, and properties for sale in Landes.

If you don’t want popular or populated, look for serene France countryside homes for sale. You might also do well to look for luxury properties in Gers, Tarn-et-Garonne real estate, Haute Garonne property, and homes for sale in Gascony.

Once you’ve looked online for property to buy in France and found some of interest, it’s time to find a real estate agent in France to help you with it.
Ma Maison Immobilier is a leading family run real estate agent in France specialising in property for sale in South West France. With our office in Condom, our customers are in the unique position of working with local real estate agents in France with local knowledge of property in the South of France and houses for sale in the South of France.
We offer an extensive portfolio of property for sale in Southern France including property in Condom, properties in Lot and Garonne, real estate in Landes, luxury Gers property, a selection of Haute Garonne property, and Tarn and Garonne property.
Whether you are interested in buying property for sale in South West France or a looking to sell your French property, we’ll ensure the process is as transparent and easy as possible, providing all the help you need.
We have a specialised team of multilingual agents who are able to assist with your France real estate enquiry in English, French, German and Dutch. Our qualified agents specialise in finding quality South of France property for sale and look forward to showing you our selection of property in Condom, Gers, Lot & Garonne, Landes, Haute Garonne and Tarn and Garonne.
Before you know it you could be the proud owner of a south of France property.
Contact one of the friendly consultants from Ma Maison Immobilier +33(0)5 62 68 09 59

How to Find Property in South West France


How to Find Property in South West France

The next time you travel to south west France you might decide you don’t want to leave. You’ll need a real estate agent in France to find you some houses in France for sale. France has an abundance of people offering properties for sale in the South West France just waiting for someone like you to come along in search of your dream property in France.

When you are searching property for sale in South West France you won’t want to miss property in Garonne or property for sale in Les Landes. You will find some great Condom properties for sale or even property for sale in Tarn to fulfil your dreams.

Gers France property is absolutely beautiful and nearly all with history. Houses for sale in Gascony are convenient to many sights and attractions. Landes maisons are homely and quaint, or if you prefer you can find luxury properties in Haute Garonne. There are France countryside homes for sale if you’re looking for lots of serene space, or small homes for sale in Tarn-et-Garonne with close and friendly neighbors.

If you don’t want to leave France, but you have to, why not look into vacation homes in France? Holiday homes for sale in France are not only a great way to own a second home in a wondrous location, but can also be a good investment. France investment property can be rented out when you’re not using it so that others can enjoy homes in France without purchasing them. Just plan your trips well and don’t rent your property in France when you want to use them.

If you do plan to stay once you’ve purchased your real estate in France, why not look for old houses for renovation in France? You can live in one of your homes in France while renovating others for investment property. South France is a great place to visit and you won’t have any trouble renting out your France investment property.

When doing your property search in France look for Gers real estate, properties for sale in Tarn et Garonne, or real estate in Gascony for some popular tourist areas. For a quiet place to live seek out Haute Garonne properties for sale, property for sale in Condom, or houses for sale in Les Landes.

You can buy property in Haute Garonne for less than the luxury Gers property. In fact, you can buy property in France under 100K in some areas. If you are on a budget, stay away from luxury Gascony properties and some Landes maisons. But if money is no object then luxury property in Gers or luxury Landes property might be for you.

Properties for sale in Condom or real estate in Tarn-et-Garonne is somewhere between budget and luxury. You can also find reasonably priced property for sale in Gers and houses for sale in Gascony if you have the right real estate agent in France.

South of France property caters for all budgets, ranging from affordable France investment property to luxury South West France properties. There is property for sale in France that meets your needs.