In a spectacular location in the centre of the village there is a property for sale which offers a unique development opportunity. Composing a house, the ruins of a 16th century convent and a large garage building with a barrel vaulted cellar beneath, these elements provide a south facing site with historical significance, long views and various options for renovation.€45000 http://augarde-puymirol.notaires.fr
Founded in 1246 on a hilltop site which had been occupied in Roman times, Puymirol is a charming and authentic"bastide"in the Lot et Garonne department of south west France. Although it sits in open countryside with rural views for miles in all directions it is only twenty minutes drive from Agen, the main town of the department, with its mainline railway station, motorway access and airport. Puymirol has shops, a primary school, a post office, a swimming pool, a bar/restaurant, a two star Michelin restaurant and the only five star hotel in the Lot et Garonne. Please visit http://www.mairie-puymirol.fr
Other buildings of note (but not for sale) are the church with its 13th century portal, the ancient country residence of Count Raymond VII of Toulouse, many fine 18th and 19th century houses, and the "Place d Maréchal Leclerc with its mediaeval arcades. At one corner of this village square sits the handsome Mairie (19th century) and, opposite, a much older building which was the Café Central a hundred years ago and has recently been bought and is being renovated by a well known Parisian businessman. In the valley below the Chateau de Tayrac is being restored by a renowned film producer. For some years the Chateau de Naudou, just below the hill of Puymirol, has been a home to the former chief executive of one of the world's biggest companies and current chairman of another. What is it about this little corner of the Lot et Garonne that continues to attract interesting people?
It was the brilliant cuisine of Michel Trama, who himself had been seduced from Paris by the charms of this region, which first lured me here nearly thirty years ago and then brought me back again each year in the eighties. By 1990 I was totally convinced that this was the best part of France for me and I have had a house here ever since. Trama is also still here, and still cooking beautifully.
I hope the old convent finds a buyer who will restore it with taste and sympathy. The building, the village and the people of Puymirol deserve no less.
