Our local village ANAN is half a kilometre north,
along the D17. A quiet place with the church, Mairie and village school grouped around
the square-cum-car park.
The nearest shops are in L'ISLE-EN-DODON four and a half kilometres away. It
is an interesting bastide town, with its fortified XIVth church where Wellington is
thought to have stayed overnight on his way to the Battle of Toulouse.
Opposite the church is the Mairie and market halls. An odd building which has been
described as 'a railway station in search of a railway'! The lively MARKET
arrives SATURDAY and augments the 3 bakers, 3 newsagents, 2 banks, 2
greengrocers, 3 chemists, 2 butchers, wine shop, 6 bars and a post office. There are
also two supermarkets, one a Casino convenience store in the centre of town and an
Ecomarche on the road to Toulouse, past the petrol station.
Monday sees the market in SAMATAN.  This is a large market which
has a livestock section in the covered halls. Samatan is a centre for FOIE GRAS
so get there early and see the fun of the foie gras market. On the way back, stop in
LOMBEZ, the old summer residence of the Bishop of Toulouse and visit the CATHEDRAL
ST MARIE. LOMBEZ boasts La Capelle WATER PARK with a large lake and
water chute, pedaloes and a beach!
For culture vultures, then TOULOUSE is a must. The Rose City is a colourful
metropolis which has not suffered at the hands of modern developers. Sit in the
Capitole (different markets up to 3 times a week), have a coffee and people watch. We
can recommend a short self- conducted WALKING TOUR starting from the CAPITOLE.
Taken at a leisurely pace, this is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the style of
the city.
If not, perhaps a lunch cruise on the CANAL DU MIDI or if you would like to
paddle your own canoe, charter your own boat by the day and explore the canal, or
visit the SPACE MUSEUM or...or...there is so much to do or not, it's your
holiday after all.
Further afield but within easy driving distance, are the cathedrals, museums,
historic buildings and the beautiful countryside of - AUCH, FOIX, La
CITÉ at CARCASSONNE, MIREPOIX, ALBI, St LIZIER, ASPET,
St BERTRAND de COMMINGES, together with LOURDES, the world famous
place of pilgrimage.
Nearer is AURIGNAC. Take a short drive along the D645 and see part of
France's "Tuscan" rolling hills and hilltop farms. Visit the MUSÉE
de PRÉHISTOIRE or admire the view of the PYRÉNÈES from the castle
keep. Then perhaps try lunch at Le CERF BLANC in the centre of the town which
serves local dishes with a slight international twist.
The PYRÉNÈES are less than an hour away. With the many GORGES, CAVES
with PREHISTORIC PAINTINGS, the PYRÉNÈES NATIONAL PARK is almost on
our doorstep.
An hour or so due south is the SPANISH BORDER Leave the mill gates. turn
left onto the D17 and keep going straight. Next stop - SPAIN.
For a longer trip over the highest road in the Pyrénèes with spectacular views, ANDORRA
is an experience in itself, especially for those who like a bit of excitement in their
motoring!
DETAILED DRIVING TOURS TO THESE AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST ARE
AVAILABLE TO GUESTS |
