“A favorite”: this international artist recounts his attachment to South Gironde, where he settled in Sigalens

Philippe Hertel, 60, travels across France and the whole world for his rare and atypical profession as a falconer rider. Of Alsatian origin, this man with an international reputation in the world of entertainment, explains to Republican South-Gironde which motivated him to come and settle in Sigalens (Gironde) and tells of his attachment to this territory, where he hopes to enjoy his retirement in a few years.

“A real little Jura here”

 I really fell in love with the South-Gironde!  ” recalls Philippe Hertel.  It was in 2015 : we are in Saône-et-Loire a lot, since I have been managing the show for 30 years The Eagles of the Rampartsin the medieval city of Provins, in Seine-et-Marne (ÃŽle-de-France). I have no family ties in Gironde but I wanted to get closer to Bordeaux, a city that I like and so we looked this way. »

He then visits several corners of the region, to refine his choice. “ We saw lots of places in the north, near Libourne for example…: good, it’s very beautiful… Saint-Émilion, magnificent, the vines, it’s superb. But when we discovered the South-Gironde, we said to ourselves ‘it’s a real little Jura’ here ! Â,” he believes.

And it was finally on Sigalens, near Auros, that he set his sights…: “We came across this manor, which is a somewhat remote place”, an ideal space where he established his stables.

“I have a few mares and a broodmare, as well as 7 working horses for shows in Provins and internationally. And as I own a large plot of land of around 4 hectares, I created a breeding center in which I reproduce falcons intended for the Middle East, for hunting and racing,” specifies the professional.

“ I go there several times a year, because I also occasionally manage a falcon breeding center in Saudi Arabia. Well, people don’t think I earn millions, not at all, everything is relative but in any case, it allows me to satisfy my passion for these animals,” he adds.

« Tranquility, nature, conviviality »

And in his haven of peace, in Sigalens, Philippe Hertel finds the tranquility he needs.  This town is charming, it’s a little hilly around. I have the Lysos river below my house. There you have it…: everything I like!…

For him, it’s the perfect climate… “They say that in the South West, it’s hot but there’s rain all the same, and the air remains quite temperate, and that’s what makes the vegetation superb. And we’re not far from the Arcachon basin and the sea, I love it, it’s relaxing. »

Magnificent landscapes, tranquility, and everything he needs for his animals… in short, in more than 10 years, “a deep attachment” has been woven here, in this corner where “life is good” in South Gironde.

He also appreciates the friendliness of the inhabitants: he says that upon his arrival, his “neighbors arrived with wonders and a bottle of wine, to welcome him”, and that a bond was forged “with one of his neighbors 80 years old: he is adorable and we help each other out whenever we can.

And it is for all these reasons that Philippe Hertel and his wife are already planning to stay in South Gironde to spend a peaceful retirement!

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