La Prade

The name ‘La Prade’ most likely derives from ‘prat’ - the Occitan (local dialect) word for ‘meadow’. In turn, ‘prat’ derives from the Latin ‘pratum’ of the same meaning (similar to ‘prado’ in modern Spanish meaning ‘meadow’).

Early records indicate that La Prade was owned by the Abbaye de Bouillas - a large Cistercian abbey originally situated two kilometers north-east of nearby Pauilhac. The Abbaye was established in 1150 and destroyed in 1858. By the mid-1700s, La Prade had become a substantial property under the ownership of Pierre Darribeau, a prominent Lectoure businessman, ‘consul perpetuel’ and counsellor to King Louis XV. Ownership subsequently transferred to his son (Pierre Francois Bernard Darribeau). The younger Darribeau and his cousin Jean-Antoine Druilhet prospered and were listed as the joint-owners of the Royal Tannery in nearby Lectoure in 1770. Darribeau is also listed as the landlord of the Lectoure masonic lodge ‘La Fidélité’ formed in 1782. Somehow, both Darribeau and Druilhet managed to survive the upheaval of the French Revolution in 1789 because they remained prominent in local society in the subsequent years. Pierre Francois Bernard Darribeau is shown as the owner of La Prade and other properties in the cadastral plan of 1810. In the same 1810 plan, his cousin Druilhet is shown as the owner of the Abbaye de Bouillas. The abbey had been owned by Jean Lannes - one of Napoleon’s most talented generals - between 1800 and his death in 1809. Druilhet also served as the mayor of Lectoure from 1800-1815.

The Area

The area of Gascony (Le Gers) is sometimes referred to as the 'forgotten corner’ of France: home of foie gras, Armagnac and ‘contented living’ (‘le bonheur est dans le Gers’ is a popular phrase). La Prade is in the heart of the ‘golden triangle’ between Lectoure, Fleurance and Condom - a spectacular area of rolling hills known for its medieval ‘bastide’ villages.

Pauilhac (2 km) - a small village famous for the ‘treasure of Pauilhac’ - a neolithic collection of gold, polished axes and flint blades from 3,500 BC which was discovered by accident in 1865 when the local railway line (now disused) was being built. The horde is now on display in the Musee d’Aquitaine in Bordeaux. More recently (in 2007), paleolithic tools were discovered at Landioy (Lamothe-Goas) - a farm 1,400 metres south-west of La Prade. This site has yet to be investigated fully but provides further tantalising evidence of a long history of habitation in the immediate area - possibly dating more than 10,000 years. Who knows?

Terraube (7 km) - a small village with a large chateau built around 1272 for the de Galard family who remain the owners today. The name ‘Terraube’ is thought to have derived from the Latin ‘terra alba’ meaning ‘white earth’ on account of the chalky rock that surfaces each time the clay is ploughed.

Lectoure (10 km) - A beautiful hill-top town with a very long history. Before the Romans arrived in the 1st century AD, it was the capital of the Lactorates tribe. In the 14th century, it became the capital city of the Earldom of Armagnac. Lectoure was an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Saint Jacques of Compostelle and remains so today. Today Lectoure has excellent restaurants, boutique hotels, fine food shopping and a large antiques market. Local market on Friday mornings.

Fleurance (7 km) - Gascon market town. Major market on Tuesdays and a smaller one in the central town hall on Saturdays.

Saint Puy (16 km) - a hill-top village dating back at least to Roman times. Chateau Monluc is open to the public and home to award-winning Armagnac, ‘Pousse Rapiere’ aperitif and others wines. The local duck farm (Terreblanche) is well worth a visit - either to enjoy a meal or to stock up on their home-made foie gras, rillettes and cassoulet.

Condom (26 km) - the home of the Four Musketeers and well-known for the production of Armagnac. A very lively ‘bandas’ festival is held over a weekend every May with an atmosphere similar to the Hong Kong Rugby 7s minus the rugby.

Abbaye de Flaran (26 km) - a former Cistercian abbey founded in 1151 (and one of two Cistercian abbeys in Le Gers - the other being Abbaye de Bouillas) and now a cultural centre for the region of Le Gers.

Seviac (43 km) - site of major Roman villa

Nearest Airport: Toulouse Blagnac (80 km - approximately 1 hour 20 mins)

Other areas of interest:

Bordeaux - approx 2 hours 15 mins (180km)

Pyrenees - approx 2 hours 30 mins (145km) to Pic du Midi