COMMUNE DE L'ISLE EN DODON

1 hour from Toulouse and the Pyrenees, L' Isle-en-Dodon offers on the heights of its hillsides a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees. Labeled Station Verte for nature holidays!

Situated in the heart of the Comminges region, L’Isle-en-Dodon is the ideal town for enjoying the pleasures of the countryside whilst remaining close to all the amenities of the major cities. Awarded the ‘Station Verte’ label, its two associated events (the Ecotourism Festival in spring and the Local Produce Festival in autumn) showcase further attractions of this ancient town of the Counts of Comminges.

Its 11th-century fortified medieval town centre, with its red brick, is reminiscent of the bastides of the Toulouse region.

The town centre has retained its historic and architectural character: its boulevard (which was once the town’s moat), its narrow streets, and its old half-timbered houses typical of the Gascon region…

Of the castle of the Counts of Comminges, a few remains of the walls can still be seen on private property, including one visible to all on Rue Maubec, and the church, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, with its fortified chancel constructed on the remains of the castle’s 12th-century chapel, its Gothic porch and its 33-metre-high bell tower dating from the 16th century. It was extended in the 19th century when part of the nave collapsed. Inside, admire the stained-glass windows with their intense, deep colours from the 16th-century school of Arnaud de Moles, a 16th-century wooden Pietà and a 19th-century Magen-built organ, which is a listed monument.

Restored between 2010 and 2012, you can see the frescoes discovered during the restoration in the church’s chancel, and in a room at the rear – during Heritage Days – the treasure chamber!

In the town centre, you’ll also discover the town hall and market hall, an imposing building constructed between 1852 and 1854. Built entirely of brick, it comprises two symmetrical market halls with the town hall at its centre. In the Town Council Chamber of the town hall, you can admire the magnificent frescoes by René Gaston-Lagorre, which depict life in L’Isle-en-Dodon, farming and traditions throughout the four seasons, with a reference to a myth that you can discover by scanning the QR code on site. You can also admire Lagorre’s triptych paying tribute to the martyrs of the Maquis de Meilhan.

The lake area and its sports complex, where the holiday village is situated, featuring an outdoor fitness circuit, a swimming pool, a pump track, rugby and football pitches, as well as a multi-purpose sports ground.

A cinema showing three screenings a week and hosting themed evenings… and local organisations that bring the community to life with a wealth of sporting and cultural activities, as well as charitable initiatives.

The Charron and Sewing Machine Museum, Jean-François Coutens invites you to visit his grandfather’s workshop and learn about the wheelwright’s trade, as well as to explore his collection of antique sewing machines, which tell the story of what everyone in his family experienced from the 19th century to the 1970s.

The surrounding villages also hold a few hidden gems. For example:
In Agassac, the ‘PIERRE BLANCHE’, a Gallo-Roman stele carved from Saint-Béat marble, on display at the town hall.
In Saint-Laurent, the ruins of the Priory and the frescoes by the painter René Gaston-Lagorre in the church (currently closed until 2029 for restoration)
Also worth exploring: Puymaurin (the village, its church, and the Rando Comminges walking route), Saint-Frajou (the art museum, the miraculous fountain and the lake, which make for a lovely walk), the Labastide-Paumès Rural Museum, the St Pé-d’Arès Chapel in Fabas…

But all this heritage doesn’t mean you should overlook the local cuisine: several restaurants serve traditional dishes that are highly regarded. You can also easily meet producers of fattened ducks, cheese, vegetables or meat – whether organic or not – at the market or on their farms.

There are numerous signposted walking trails through the hillsides, offering breathtaking views of the Pyrenees. Discover our landscapes using the “RANDO COMMINGES” app
There’s a botanical trail in the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood of L’Isle-en-Dodon where you can explore the local flora; you’ll come across it on the walk starting from the lake.
In April, local producers showcase their finest produce at the Spring and Taste Fair.