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MIDI-PYRENEES
The Midi-Pyrenees is the largest region in France containing no less than eight departments: Ariege, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrenees, Lot, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.
It takes its name from Midi meaning South, and Pyrenees referring to the beautiful mountain chain that runs through south-west France and into Spain. It is completely landlocked bordering Spain to the south, Languedoc-Roussillon to the east, Aquitaine to the west and to the north Limousin and Auvergne.
The scenery is beautiful and varied with stunning gorges, quaint villages, rolling hillsides and of course the breathtaking Pyrenean peaks. This is perhaps one reason why it is so popular with British househunters. Much land is given to agricultural use with a multitude of different crops, sunflower fields and vineyards. The Tarn in particular is often referred to as the garden of France.
With so many departments and covering 45,348 sq. kms. it is impossible to generalise about the Midi-Pyrenees as it is a region of many contrasts partly explained by the fact that it has absorbed various historical provinces including Gascon(Gers), parts of Languedoc (Tarn and Ariege), Rouergue (Aveyron), Quercy (Lot) and Agenais (Tarn-et-Garonne).
The capital of the region is Toulouse, a vibrant city with much going on both in terms of culture and economy. Its international airport provides a choice of flights to various U.K. cities, another reason for its popularity with househunters as many interesting properties are located within an hour's drive of the airport.
Equally good access to other parts of the region are offered by airports at Rodez and Brive-Souillac and a little further afield at Pau and Bergerac in neighbouring Aquitaine, and Carcassonne or Montpellier in Languedoc-Roussillon.
For those driving down to the region the new A20 motorway gives excellent access, and The TGV runs from Paris to Toulouse.
The Toulouse sector has a population of over 1 million and has a very important influence on the area, home as it is to Airbus, with many other important groups such as Alcatel Siemens, France Telecom and IBM also having offices there. The aerospace industry is an important source of income and employment and many other enterprises have grown in the area in support of that industry. The dynamism of Toulouse is a huge plus point for the whole region. It has the highest earners in France outside of Paris, Lyon and Marseille and is one of the few areas in France where the younger people of the region prefer to move to their regional capital rather than to Paris. The city's buoyant economy has ensured the region has prospered.
Away from the city life is lived at a slow pace and the country roads have little traffic. The Midi-Pyrenees has the highest number of farms and the most usable land in France. Crops include grapes (both for eating and wine), prunes, melons, apples and sunflowers. 60% of France's garlic is grown here. There are also of course very many cereal and grain crops grown.
On a gastronomic front the region is known for Foie Gras and Magret de Canard as well as Cassoulet (a bean and meat stew) and Roquefort cheese, which along with Armagnac is probably the best known export of the area.
With such varied countryside just about every outdoor activity you can think of is possible and with over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, short winters, mild spring and autumn, and those welcome long hot summers there is little to stop you enjoying what ever it is you like best to do.
As each department is quite different below you will find some general facts about each one and links to individual department descriptions.
MIDI-PYRENEES FACTS
| Region: | Midi-Pyrenees |
| Departments: | Ariege, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrenees, Lot, Tarn, Tarn-et Garonne |
| Prefecture: | Toulouse |
| Area: | 45,348 km² |
| Population (2007): | 2,782,000 |
| Population density: | With Haute-Garonne which includes Toulouse: 61/km², excluding Haute-Garonne: 43/km² |
DEPARTMENTS FACTS
| ARIEGE | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 09 |
| Prefecture: | Foix |
| Sub-prefectures: | Pamiers, St.Girons |
| Land Area: | 4,890 km² |
| Population (2007): | 148,568 |
| Population density: | 30/km² |
| Read more about Ariege | |
| HAUTES-PYRENEES | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 65 |
| Prefecture: | Tarbes |
| Sub-prefectures: | Argeles-Gazost, Bagneres de Bigorre |
| Land Area: | 4,464 km² |
| Population (2009): | 228,594 |
| Population density: | 51/km² |
| Read more about Hautes-Pyrenees | |
| AVEYRON | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 12 |
| Prefecture: | Rodez |
| Sub-prefectures: | Millau, Villeferanche de Rouergue |
| Land Area: | 8,735 km² |
| Population (2007): | 274,425 |
| Population density: | 31/km² |
| Read more about Aveyron | |
| LOT | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 46 |
| Prefecture: | Cahors |
| Sub-prefectures: | Figeac, Gourdon |
| Land Area: | 5,217 km² |
| Population (2007): | 171,173 |
| Population density: | 33/km² |
| Read more about Lot | |
| GERS | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 32 |
| Prefecture: | Auch |
| Sub-prefectures: | Condom, Mirande |
| Land Area: | 6,257 km² |
| Population (1999): | 172,335 |
| Population density: | 28/km² |
| Read more about Gers | |
| TARN | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 81 |
| Prefecture: | Albi |
| Sub-prefectures: | Castres |
| Land Area: | 5,758 km² |
| Population (2007): | 369,501 |
| Population density: | 64/km² |
| Read more about Tarn | |
| HAUTE-GARONNE | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 31 |
| Prefecture: | Toulouse |
| Sub-prefectures: | St.Gaudens, Muret |
| Land Area: | 6,309 km² |
| Population (2007): | 1,202,920 |
| Population density: | 191/km² |
| Read more about Haute-Garonne | |
| TARN-ET-GARONNE | |
|---|---|
| Department No. | 81 |
| Prefecture: | Montauban |
| Sub-prefectures: | Castelsarrazin |
| Land Area: | 3,718 km² |
| Population (2007): | 226,034 |
| Population density: | 61/km² |
| Read more about Tarn-et-Garonne | |
PROPERTY VALUES IN MIDI-PYRENEES
The Midi-Pyrenees is an undeniably beautiful area. Stone houses predominate and there are many traditional properties for sale from Maisons de Village to substantial character properties set in their own grounds. It is still possible to find properties with large amounts of land, with or without outbuildings For those who prefer more modern houses with the benefit of all mod cons these can also be found.. As with most areas the bargain renovation properties are now few and far between but with the regional average price of a re-sale house being appreciably lower than its neighbours, €199,700 compared to €223,200 in Aquitaine and €218,700 in Languedoc-Roussillon, the area still represents excellent value for money.
Unsurprisingly values are affected by external forces such as commuting distance from Toulouse (and to a lesser extent other major towns), proximity to rail or major road links, and local amenities and facilities.
Proximity to ski resorts, the coast and other tourist hot spots also create premium prices.
Below is a table supplied by the Notaires of France showing average property values in all the departments. It is of course possible to find in all the areas more substantial properties which are accordingly dearer, in some cases considerably so, and more humble abodes.
| Average Prices (€) | Ariege | Aveyron | Gers | Haute-Garonne | Hautes-Pyrenees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resale House | 141,000 | 146,200 | 158,900 | 257,000 | 163,200 |
| Resale Apartment/m² | 1,690 | 1,540 | - | 2,520 | 1,750 |
| New Apartment/m² | 3,480 | 2,210 | - | 3,220 | 3,770 |
| Building Plot | 44,700 | 39,200 | 42,100 | 97,600 | 40,800 |
| Average Prices (€) | Lot | Tarn | Tarn-et-Garonne | Regional Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resale House | 170,900 | 150,900 | 168,000 | 199,700 |
| Resale Apartment/m² | 1,430 | 1,300 | 1,380 | 2,290 |
| New Apartment/m² | - | 2,360 | - | 3,200 |
| Building Plot | 30,400 | 51,600 | 52,000 | 66,400 |