Miélan
Founded in 1284 on an initial site of around ten hectares, Miélan was part of the Affites region, strategically positioned between the counties of Astarac, Pardiac and Bigorre, which also controlled two ancient roads linking Toulouse to the Basque country and the Pyrenees to Bordeaux.
The discovery of a sarcophagus in the area suggests a possible earlier occupation, probably Gallo-Roman.
The bastide suffered severely from the ravages of the Hundred Years' War, but was rebuilt on a much smaller site than originally planned.
The creation of the royal road from Auch to Tarbes in the 18th century gave the town an economic boost (Miélan had a horse post office and a letter post office), which was reinforced in the following century by the construction of the Auch-Tarbes railway line.
In the first half of the 20th century, Miélan became one of France' s largest pork markets and the centre of theMiélan pig-breeding region.
What to see in the village
- The chapel of Saint Jean Baptiste
- The walks
- The bailiff's house
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