|
|
A French town with a British flavour
The town of Pibrac, close to the lovely city of Toulouse in southern France, is a French town which has a distinctly British flavour. Many of the inhabitants of the town are either British nationals or English speakers who have made their homes in Pibrac whilst working in connection with the aerospace industry in nearby Blagnac.
|
Surrounded by beautiful countryside
Pibrac benefits from its proximity to Toulouse, and it also has the advantage of being set in the lovely rolling countryside of the Haute-Garonne, which is within easy reach of both the Pyrenean Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
|
French market, British pub!
Pibrac is a busy and thriving community in its own right, with a shopping centre, a weekly market, sports facilities, restaurants and a traditional British pub. French and English cultures merge happily in Pibrac. Residents can spend a pleasant morning browsing the stalls in the very French atmosphere created by the weekly market, then adjourn for a long lunch in the local pub, The Bell, and wash down a traditionally English bar meal with a few pints of English beer!
|
Sports facilities
Sports facilities are available not just in the town, but also residents are able to access everything that is on offer in Toulouse, as the big city is right on the doorstep.
|
Beautiful basilique church
The town has a very beautiful and noteworthy church, the Basilica de St Germaine, which is dedicated to Pibrac’s most famous daughter, Saint Germaine, champion of the underdogs and the suffering. Born into Pibrac when it was a tiny rural village, Germaine had a withered hand and was reviled by her family and forced to sleep in the barn with the animals she cared for. Gradually, however, she became acknowledged as being beloved by God, and people came to admire and love her. Through her suffering she was able to offer comfort to others, and after her death at the age of only 22 she was finally recognised as a Saint.
|
Pantomimes and book swaps!
Pibrac, with its English speaking community, is able to offer the British or American expatriate the sort of things that many in other areas are unable to find. There is a book swap club centred in the town, where members meet socially and exchange English Language books. Another very interesting group is the SPS, the Secret Pantomime Society! This is a group of people who decided they didn’t want to miss out on the traditional fun of English Panto, so each winter they perform in the traditional manner, taking a well known fairytale and giving it the usual Panto treatment!
|
The Med and the Mountains…
One of the great things about living in the Haute-Garonne is the closeness of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenean Mountains. Both are accessible easily within a couple of hours, so day trips to either are possible and enjoyable. The lovely Canal Du Midi, with its barges and cycle paths is also right on the doorstep, and cookery fans can trace the footsteps of celebrity chef Rick Stein as he recently cruised down here for his latest French Odyssey!
|
How to get there
Getting to Pibrac couldn’t be easier. Toulouse airport, at Blagnac, is very close to the town, and has flights to and from the UK with several airlines, including budget airlines easyJet, flybe, bmi, bmibaby and also British Airways. Toulouse is a stop on the main TGV line too, which means that rail travel is another excellent option.
|
Property prices and availability in and around Pibrac
Toulouse is known to be a very expensive place to buy property, but Pibrac provides a realistically priced alternative. The benefits of Toulouse are just a short bus ride away, and property so much more affordable. Many people buying in Pibrac are seeking smart, modern apartments for no fuss living, and there are a good number of these available. You may also, if you are lucky, find a village house of some charm, but these tend to sell quite quickly!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
