Mirande, the "bastide" seen from the sky

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Ludina water park

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Garage sale in the town

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Summer entertainment

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A parade of vintage cars

MIRANDE

Situated by the river Baïse, Mirande, built in 1281, is one of  many bastides created in the South West of France during the XIIIth century.

With its streets at right angles and a central square, the city was protected by ramparts, defensive gates and moats. Remains of fortifications mostly destroyed in the XIXth century can still be seen.

Mirande history is closely linked to Berdoues Cistercian Abbey and to the Comtes d’Astarac, co-founders lords of the « bastide ».

In the XIIIth century, the comtes d’Astarac settled their castle close to the city which then became their county seat. Important vestiges still appear today.

Under the « Grand Schisme d’Occident », the abbey was designated as a bishopric early in the XVth century, and it was decided that the bishopric seat would be Mirande.

Sainte Marie Church was built at the same time. The overall design included a bell tower flanked by turrets most probably with a military purpose.

During the XVIth century, at the time of the religious wars, the town was besieged several times, fell to the protestant and future King of France, Henri the IVth, then liberated by the Catholics.

Under the « Ancien Régime », the bastide’s consuls spread their juridiction over the « Perche de Mirande », serving an area consisting of 18 communities.

A Cordeliers’ convent built outside city walls in 1515 was removed by the Revolution.

In 1851, Mirande actively resisted Napoleon the IIIrd Coup d’Etat and was therefore  severely repressed.

Since 1832, the town has received collections of Fine Arts and Ceramics thus creating in conjunction with Auch, the richest museum in the Gers specializing in classical art.