Discover Mirande: Bastide, art and markets

Mirande offers several starting points for planning your stay: the bastide’s checkerboard street plan, buildings in the Gothic style of southern France, art collections, markets and activities at Lac de Mirande.

Bastide and architecture

The Bastide de Mirande has a characteristic checkerboard street plan dating from the 13th century. The comparison to a chessboard describes the regular layout of the town and draws attention not only to Mirande as a collection of individual buildings, but also to its urban form.

The former cathedral of Mirande is a 15th-century monument of the Gothic style of southern France. Its entrance porch spans the street. The Église Notre-Dame also features striking architectural details: its nave has five bays, or sections of the interior structure. Flying buttresses that cross above the street support the bell tower. The Église Sainte-Marie de Mirande has been classified as a Monument historique since 1921.

Art and collections

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mirande was founded in 1832 through the bequest of Joseph Delort. The Musée des Beaux-Arts et Arts Décoratifs de Mirande houses paintings by Italian, Flemish and French masters from the 15th to the 19th century. This span covers several centuries; the museum also has a significant collection of antique decorative faience. For your trip planning, architecture and art collections thus offer two distinct cultural highlights.

Market and August events

On Mondays, a market featuring local producers is held at the market hall and in the surrounding streets. On Saturday mornings, there is a smaller but equally varied market at the hall. The two market days therefore differ both in scale and in where the market takes place: on Mondays, the neighbouring streets are part of it, while the Saturday morning market is concentrated at the hall.

Mirande’s annual events programme includes Kiosq’N’Rock in August, with concerts and an air-guitar final. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates and programme in advance; both can change.

Lac de Mirande and waterside activities

Lac de Mirande covers 2.6 hectares and is 1.8 metres deep. It lies amid grassy, shady banks of the Baïse. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard excursions are offered on the lake and the Baïse, including a trip around Île du Pont. There are therefore different kinds of waterside activities to enjoy: boat or paddleboard trips, as well as fishing, which is possible at Lac de Mirande.

A PR walking trail also starts at the lake. Lac de Mirande is accessible year-round and admission is free. With a walking trail starting point, fishing and water excursions, the lake offers several options for planning your visit: you can choose it as a destination for a particular activity or include it in your stay alongside Mirande’s markets and cultural programme.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Labastide-Savès, Biran, Monblanc, Seissan, Perchède, Pouydraguin, Lannepax, Sarcos.

For the main travel overview: Gers.