Minère
In the heart of Bas Armagnac, near Eauze (the ancient capital of Gascony), Nogaro (racing circuit), Barbotan-les-Thermes and its thermal spa, make yourselves comfortable in Estang! In verdant setting, you will find two renovated gites in an old 17th century stone-built farm.
The owners have thought of everything: beds are made on arrival and towels are provided ! Very well equipped and bright, they also benefit from local services in the village (1.5km). You will enjoy having breakfast on the terrace and relaxing in the shade of the fruit trees. The rich heritage and enchanting Gascon countryside are waiting to be discovered! You will also have access to the beautiful family library with relaxation area and a very varied choice of books: for all tastes and all ages.
There are two possibilities for accommodation at Minère, the house which has been recently renovated and will sleep six, and the stable in the old barns which is for two to four people.
A charming 17th century house with many period features, it has recently been given a makeover and can accommodate 6 people. A second gîte and the owners' house are also on site, but each one has an independent entrance and an independent garden.
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The front door
Swimming pool 7.5m x 3.5m, prof. 1.20m
The kitchen opens onto the patio
Living room
Bedroom with 1 bed 200cm wide
Bedroom with 1 beds 140cm wide
Bedroom with 2 beds 90cm wide
Sitting room with a fireplace
The gîte is in the old stables, as the outer sliding door and the beams inside attest, but is bright and very well equipped. The gîte adjoins the owners (who live above) but has a totally independent entrance and garden and so your privacy is ensured.
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The recently renovated gite is in a former stable.
The east-facing patio with doors to the sitting room and bedroom
The sitting room with TV and DVD player
The bedroom which has a double bed and a large wardrobe.
The bedroom has a door to the sitting room and one to the patio
The sitting with its door to the patio
Nearest airports | |
| Bordeaux | : 152km 2h05 |
| Toulouse | : 141km 2h09 |
| Pau | : 75km 1h09 |
| Tarbes (Lourdes) | : 92km 1h39 |
| Biarritz | : 152km 2h03 |
| Bergerac | : 143km 2h46 |
By car from Estang – pass the church on your left (on the road to Panjas) then take the first turn on the left, a single-track road signed “route de Minère”. The gite is on the left after about 1km. You can park opposite the gite.
The location is known to GPSs (Minère 32240 Estang or latitude 43.8573, longitude -0.09196).
Estang is in the region of Bas-Armagnac, known worldwide for the quality of its armagnac and also now for its very drinkable wines – here Cote de Gascogne with Saint Mont and Madiran close by. The traditional cuisine revolves around duck and chicken but look out also for “croustade”, a delicious dessert made from many layers of fine pastry and apples and well dosed with armagnac. There are lots of fruit and vegetables grown locally too, and these can be found in the many markets in the region. The Thursday morning market at Eauze is one of the largest and has existed for many hundreds of years, Eauze being the capital of the ancient province of Gascony.
Numerous archaeological excavations have unearthed a significant Gallo-Roman presence in the region and the site of the Gallo-Roman villa in Montreal, the site of the Domus in Eauze and the treasure of Eauze, amongst others, are worth a visit. A more recent heritage of Romanesque churches is also waiting to be explored.
The countryside around Estang is one of gentle rolling hills, which preview the foothills of the Pyrenees just 100km to the south. It’s delightful walking country with lots of woods mixed in with the farmland and vineyards. There is a rich flora (many species of wild orchids) and fauna (roe deer, wild boar, hares, red squirrels). The spring here is announced not just by the cuckoo but also by the hoopoe (“hoop-hoop-hoop”) and there are more exotic visiters too - we've spotted bee-eaters in the garden a few times. There are many birds of prey: kites, buzzards, owls and a whole range of smaller raptors that sit on telephone wires and defy identification as you drive past!
The Estang village website (in French) has lots of useful information, including details of the shops and the restaurant and a very interesting history of the village.
The Gers tourist office website and the Grand Armagnac tourist office website (both in English) have lots of ideas on what there is to do in the region.
And finally here's a link to the Météo France website for information on the climate here in the Gers