Top 10 Things to Do in Montauban

Top 10 Things to Do in Montauban

Situated about 50 kilometres north of Toulouse in the Tarn-et-Garonne department is Montauban a historical town . The town, was founded in 1144 by the Count of Toulouse, it happens to be largely constructed using the attractive pink stone found in the region, setting a very beautiful picture of architecture.

1. Place Nationale

Nationale in Montauban by Krzysztof Golik -Wikimedia Commons

The Place Nationale is a very attractive red brick square with portico roofing surrounded by grand pink houses. Characteristic to medieval bastide towns Montauban’s highlight of the town is a central arcaded square. The charming square was largely rebuilt in the 17th century after a fire that set a flame on the wooden houses that were there originally. such was the damage that King Louis XIII made concessions to help with the rebuild insisting that wooden houses be banned.

This grand square is furnished with cafes, bars and restaurants placed under the arches, tables spread out onto the square. If you happen to be pattering through the streets early in the morning you will catch the mini market here every morning.

2. Experience Art in Musée Ingres

Montauban – Le Musée Ingres Cour intérieure by Didier Descouens – Wikimedia Commons

This historic museum displays the paintings and sketches donated by French artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres as well as other French artists and some of his students. Some of his paintings in the museum’s collection are Joseph Ingres (1804),Jean-François Gilibert (1804),Lorenzo Bartolini (1805).

The structure housing the museum belongs chiefly to the 17th century, but some portions are much older, they have a section that educates you about the structure of the museum.

Interestingly During World War II, the museum served as one of the temporary places of storage for the Mona Lisa.The museum houses archaeological pieces and other antiquities, including contemporary art exhibits, and other old paintings.

3. Take a stroll along the Port Canal

Canal_de_Montech_-_Port_de_Montauban_-03 by MOSSOT – Wikimedia Commons

Linking the Tarn with the Canal de Garonne, is a waterway called The Canal de Montech which then links the cities of Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Montauban has devoted a lot in its “Port Canal” in the recent past. They have put in new moorings for boats and opened an activity center and a bar that puts on live music at night. There is also a metal sculpture of a boat with flying birds set in the middle of a water feature.

As you enjoy a walk or cycle along the canal you can see some of the wonderful boats moored here.

4. See the Montauban Cathedral

Montauban – Cathédrale orgue. byDidier Descouens – Wikimedia Commons

The cathedral is a white structure in a city of red bricks offering a lovely contrast. The cornerstone of the new cathedral was laid in 1692, and the church was consecrated in 1739. The architects involved were Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte after the death of the first assigned architect François d’Orbay.

The scale of the building is astonishing, and the central portal is the highest in Europe, higher even than St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

5. Take in the Église Saint-Jacques

Église Saint-Jacques by JLPC / Wikimedia Commons

This massive church was Built in the 13th century, shortly after the establishment of Montauban.the church on a fortified base still endures scarring of the cannonballs fired during the siege of 1621 by Louis XIII. It has an octagonal tower built of bricks typical for the area and period. The interior with a single nave, flanked by 3 chapels on either side it has a number of stained glass windows and a gilded altar surrounded by paintings. Well worth visiting. Saint Jacques, is patron of the church.

6. Relive History in Musée de la Résistance et du Combattant

Musée-de-la-Résistance-et-du-Combattant- by thecrazytourist Wikimedia Commons

The Resistance and Deportation Museum bids visitors to discover the historical attributes of  World War II, from the rise of totalitarianism to the liberation of the national territory.

It was established in 1989 when a former Resistance deportee put on an exhibition of memorabilia from the war. It showcases the  local history of the conflict like the resistance fighters, the foreigners,

deportees, the Septfonds internment camp and so on.

7. Tour the  Village at Bruniquel

View_on_Bruniquel By Krzysztof Golik – Wikimedia Commons

About a half-hour’s drive from Montauban is one of France most stunning villages with beautiful stone buildings and plush green scenery poised on a cliff over the Aveyron Gorge surrounded by rivers, and fortified with defensive stone walls

The first thing you’ll see are the towers of the two medieval castles that control the town. One dating back to the 12th-century built on the ruins of an even older castle which was the home of William of Tudela who composed the Song of the Albigensian Crusade, detailing the brutal 13th-century suppression of the Cathar sect. The other now houses some prehistoric artifacts, some of which are from nearby caves. Even if you go just to explore the streets, its beauty will draw you in.

8. Sip some Montauban Wine

Montauban Wine by www.montauban-tourisme.com

The vineyards of the Coteaux et Terrasses de Montauban vin de pays lay North of the city, lining the clay-limestone slopes of the Aveyron Valley.

A wide variety of grapes like Merlot, Syrah, Tannat, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and several others for red are attributed to being elegant and supple, white described as fragrant and fresh and rosé wines said to be fruity and lively are grown here. 

9. Go swimming at the Complexe Aquatique Ingreo

Complexe Aquatique Ingreo By Complexe Aquatique Ingreo

located near the Antoine Bourdelle high school. It opened in 2013, Montauban’s aquatic centre is the third-largest aquatic complex in France with more than 2700 m² of water.

It commands six indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam, saunas, a state-of-the-art gym and a balcony area where you can unwind. Many aquatic activities are scheduled there: aqua palm lessons, aquabike, swimming lessons and many more. It is open throughout the year and this is a place the whole family can have a good time at.

10. Sample some Local Food

Cannonballs by Montauban tourisme
Candy “Le boulet de Montauban” – Google

You can’t go anywhere in Montauban without passing by a cafe or restaurant – the streets are lined with them. Just pick a place, sit inside or outside and enjoy the lovely atmosphere. They have a wonderful food culture.

Boulet de Montauban (Cannonballs) are hazelnuts covered in chocolate and sold in cute packets sold in the city in honor of some of the 6,000 Huguenots who fought off the 20,000 royal troops in the 1621 siege.

They have the “Mountalbane” which is a local brioche infused with orange blossom water, rum and vanilla, garnished with sugar and candied, and then wrapped in pleated parchment paper.

They also have got the local cheese Cabécou Autan, a creamy goat’s cheese that can be pretty powerful and has a faint hazelnut flavour.

The culture, architecture and history I would say are the biggest attractions in this town and the top ten things to do here are a lovely guide to experience each one of them fully.