Mirande

Mirande is a commune in the Gers department in the Midi -Pyrénées; it is the administrative center for the district of Mirande Mirande and Canton.

Geography

The small town with 3667 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) located on the River Baise at the national road N 21 between Auch (25 km) and Lourdes (75 km).

History

Mirande was founded in 1280 near the village of Saint -Jean de Lezian of Bernhard IV, Count of Astarac, as Bastide. The layout of the town was planned and regular basis. Mirande was surrounded by a 19th century city wall with four gates. Above the town there was the Count's castle, by the 1297 Mirande was capital of the county.

Attractions

• The Church of Sainte -Marie was founded at the beginning of the 15th century by the Abbot of the monastery Berdoues and the Earl of Astarac. After the destruction of the church of Saint -Jean de Lezian in the 16th century, it was upgraded to the deanery. In 1410, the Pope, the Church in a certain bull to the seat of the newly created diocese the monastery Berdoues. Although this certificate is revoked only three years later, but could the Notre- Dame de Mirande retain the status of a cathedral. Striking feature of the building is the imposing porch, which supports the bell tower and it spans the nearby road. Also worth seeing is the choir stalls, the ( originally from the monastery ) altar, a stained glass window from the 15th century and the cloister.

• Remains of ancient fortification.

• Magnificent houses from the 15th century on the Place d' Astarac.

• A bridge from the 18th century on the Baise.

• The town hall with its inviting green space.

Demographics

Development of the population ( only residents with primary residence ):

Twinning

• Korntal, Baden- Württemberg, since 1964
• Tubize, Belgium, since 1964
• La Eliana, Valencia Spain
• San Mauro Torinese, Piedmont, Italy