Montauban course

Temporarily closed - In 1685, Louis XIV decided to build a gigantic cathedral to assert his power and mark the victory of the Catholic religion.Built at the highest point of the city and partly built in white stone, the cathedral symbolizes the all-powerful Catholic monarchy on the former rebel city ... The work of Catholic reconquest on the Protestant city culminated in 1692 with the laying of the first stone of Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of classical architecture. And to make room for it, we do not hesitate to remove whole blocks of houses, to split in two sections the street of Soubirous and to clear a vast forecourt on the Place des Nonnains (today Franklin Roosevelt) Consecrated in 1739, it is the work of three royal architects: François d'Orbay, Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte. The classical facade bears the statues of the four evangelists, dominated by the king's arms inscribed on the pediment. The interior reveals a building with harmonious lines, enhanced by a delicate dome on pendants.The cathedral houses remarkable furniture: stalls (eighteenth), carved walnut organ (seventeenth) and a Napoleon III style baldachin. In the north arm of the transept is one of Ingres' major works, the Vow of Louis XIII (1824). The interior of the cathedral breaks strongly with the aesthetics of the Saint Jacques church: the high windows flood the nave with lights. The cathedral is home to exceptional furniture, including a 17th century walnut organ, a 18th century pulpit and a 19th century Napoleon III canopy. In 2010, a treasure is set up by the State in the great sacristy, opened during some visits proposed by the Heritage Center. OPENING HOURS indicative : Monday to Saturday from 8h to 19h and Sunday from 10h to 19h (Sunday religious office at 11am)

Located on the 1st floor of the former Jesuit college under the City and Country of Art and History label, the Heritage Center offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history and heritage of Montauban.Opened in 2008, the heritage center is located around the main courtyard of the former Jesuit college. It brings together in one place the administration of the heritage service, an educational space for young audiences, a documentary resource center and two large exhibition rooms. The permanent exhibition "Montauban, portrait of a city" tells the story of the city's destiny from its founding until today, around a relief map of the territory. Deposits of objects from the collections of the Ingres Bourdelle museum and the Montauban hospital center enrich this visit. A children's area also offers treasure hunts, memory games and dominoes for a fun discovery of Montauban. This set is completed by thematic temporary exhibitions. The heritage center coordinates all of Montauban's initiatives under the City of Art and History label and offers guided tours, exhibitions, conferences and activities all year round for Montalbanians, tourists and schoolchildren. All guided tours are led by tour guides from the heritage center. Approved by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, they give you all the keys to understanding the history of the city, its architecture and its heritage. Entrance to the exhibition spaces is free. Montauban, my elsewhere. Literary walk to listen to. The writer Mouloud Akkouche wrote a fictional text testifying to his wanderings and his outlook on our city. This text, which is the subject of a recording, is available for listening, to discover Montauban in the footsteps and in the words of the author. MP3 audio file for download at www.centredupatrimoine.com. MP3 player and headphones available on loan at the Heritage Center against delivery of an identity document.

The records show that a church was built on the left bank of the Tarn around 1320. A few years later, the completion of the bridge connecting the two banks was to cause the development of this suburb.But the word of Saint-Orens, bishop of Auch in the fifth century, suggests a much older foundation, probably earlier than that of Montauban (1144). Several churches have succeeded each other since. One of them was swept away by the overflow of the Tarn of July 26, 1652, shortly after its construction. The current building, inaugurated in 1891, is (with the exception of the bell tower) the work of the diocesan architect Léopold Gardelle. He was closely inspired here, the first Gothic art, that of the thirteenth century, without falling into pastiche. One can only appreciate the breadth of this brick building, 75 m long, and the balance of its architectural volumes. He resisted the flood of 1930 which partly destroyed this district of Villebourbon. Paradoxically, the catastrophe allowed the completion of the church:thanks to the generosity of the Paris City Council towards the city, the bell tower could finally be built by the architect Germain Olivier. With its 65 m height, it is considered the highest in the department. The church houses an exceptional set of stained glass, art deco style, by master glassmaker André Rapp. With the stained glass above the main portal, Rapp celebrates the sacrifice of the young Montalban industrialist Adolphe Poult, during the catastrophic flood of March 2 to 4, 1930. A successful sportsman, he managed, on his frail canoe, to save the drowning hundreds of people. He ends up drowning himself, after all, after a day and a night of fighting. His name was given to the quai du Tarn located near the aglise.

Arrived in 1629 in the wake of Richelieu, the Jesuits acquired in 1676 a mansion on the northeastern limit of the city, to install their college and their chapel (current Saint-Joseph church)Modified then enlarged to several The building, with its austere architecture, is organized around two courtyards, to which gardens which have disappeared today responded. The building served as a foundry for cannons during the Revolution, then again became a college until 1961. It now houses the Department of Cultural Development, the dance conservatory, the tourist office and the heritage center. Opened in 2008, this new space presents a historic, architectural and sensitive portrait of the city.

Along with the Old Bridge, it is the only medieval vestige of the city ...Following complete repair work on the roof of the nave, the Saint-Jacques church, an emblematic monument of the city's built heritage, is closed to the public. ********************************************** This church has its origins from the founding of Montauban. Its presence is attested in 1147 by a donation made by the knight Pierre de Penne to the abbey of Saint-Théodard: three houses located "near the Saint Jacques church". No testimony remains of the first church, it being rebuilt in the following century by the great Montalbanese families, in expiation of their sympathies for the Cathars.An exemplary monument of southern Gothic architecture , it has a vast single vaulted nave on a cross ribs, narrow windows, a polygonal apse and a Toulouse-style bell tower. Transformed into a watchtower (bell tower), saltpeter manufacturing workshop (nave) and fort (choir) during the Wars of Religion, the Saint-Jacques church still bears traces of cannonballs from the siege of 1621 on the facade.After the Catholic reconquest (1629), Richelieu ordered the identical reconstruction of the church.Once a cathedral (1629-1739), it was provided in the 18th century with new side portals and a gallery. Its facade received in the 19th century a neo-Romanesque decoration, while the nave and the choir were adorned with wall decorations. BUSINESS HOURS : In summer, Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In winter, Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Religious services on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.)

The heart of the city, towards which all the streets of the old center converge, the Place Nationale has been the center of public life since the origins of Montauban (1144).The Place Nationale de Montauban will benefit from restoration and enhancement works until summer 2022, *********************************************************************************** Ruined by two fires in 1614 and 1649, it was completely rebuilt thanks to the royal generosity and the will of the consuls. The facades conceal deep buildings opening onto pretty interior courtyards adorned with galleries and stair towers. Completed at the start of the 18th century, it forms a harmonious and homogeneous ensemble that has recently been restored. A true architectural gem whose covers and tiles are classified as Historical Monuments, the Place Nationale takes us back to the early hours of the city and forms the link with the city of today. A major area of ​​the Montalbanese identity, it is often ranked among the most beautiful places in France.

In the second half of the 17th century, bishops and intendants joined forces to make Montauban a modern, well-organized and airy city.Intendant Nicolas Joseph Foucault creates here in 1679, the first public walk. It responds to a dual motivation: to retain the lands that collapsed along the Tarn and offer the Montalbanais a space of approval. The course, which stretches over five hectares planted with abalone, quickly becomes a place frequented by the elegant society of the city, which likes to appear and walk there. At the end of the central alley stands the imposing War Memorial of 1914-1918 made by Bourdelle.

This arboretum covers an area of ​​3 hectares on both sides of Tescou. It presents some remarkable specimens of plants (Giant sequoia, Tulip tree, Chinese Cephalotaxus ...) most of them planted during the creation of the garden and the sculptures. Protestant stronghold, Montauban was surrounded by ramparts. The fortifications were destroyed in the 18th century and for a long time the upper bank of the Tescou, which went from the Porte des Carmes to the Moustier, remained an abrupt and bushy slope. The development of the ravine began around 1835, but It was not until 1849 that a solid retaining wall allowed the creation of a vast promenade: the Plateau. At the same time, the Society of Horticulture and Acclimatization of Tarn-et-Garonne organized a first botanical exhibition on this promenade. In 1857, with the help of the municipality, 2 hectares of land were purchased and one of the best landscape architects in Paris, Mr. Le Breton, came to draw the plan of the Jardin des Plantes. On June 16, 1861, Marshal Niel, commander of the 6th Army Corps, and Mr. Prax Paris, Mayor of Montauban, inaugurate this garden in which the Montalbanais still stroll. For the record: when Montauban is the land of the Indians ... In 1827, American Indians from the Osage tribe arrived in France to plead the cause of their people. Left to their own devices and after months of wandering, three of them reach Montauban, where Bishop Dubourg welcomes them. They will return to their country thanks to the generosity of the Montalbanais. In September 1989, the Oklaoma-Occitania association resumed contact with the tribe which accepted the cultural exchange project. This is how the town of Montauban gives the Osage and Cherokee tribes a piece of land in the Jardin des Plantes. A giant sequoia is planted there symbolizing America. The Jardin des Plantes in augmented reality: It has become the first public theme park in the world using augmented reality technology. Thanks to the "Magic Xperience" application (previously downloaded for free), discover mysterious totems to discover Montalbanese celebrities, enchanted characters and wild animals.

The museum presents an important collection of birds from around the world, mammals and fossils that invite you to travel.Located today in the former palace of the Cour des aides, the Victor Brun Museum project was born in 1852, under the will of the members of the Société des Sciences (Agriculture and Belles Lettres du Tarn-et-Garonne), wishing to put their private collections at the disposal of the Montalbanais. Appointed curator in 1857, Victor Brun is a naturalist, but also a member of the Society and holder of most of the collection that makes up the Museum. The museum presents a large collection of birds, mammals, phosphorite fossils from Quercy (Lot) and a fragment of the famous Orgueil meteorite that fell near Montauban in 1864. An overview of the wonders of nature ends with the very beautiful and rich collections of primates, shells and insects. If you are curious, pay attention to the slideshows which present the fauna of the Tarn-et-Garonne and the environment in which it evolves. Your next walks will have no more mysteries for you! Nénette, the newcomer! Since April 2021, the museum has acquired a magnificent brown bear which has quickly become the museum's new mascot.

The Ingres museum showcases two illustrious Montalbanese: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Antoine Bourdelle . This brick building, overlooking the river, is Ingres Bourdelle museum an emblematic place of Montauban.Practical information: health pass compulsory from 03.08.2021 Housed in the old episcopal palace, the Montauban museum was created in 1820. But it was in 1867, upon the death of Ingres, that the establishment took on its identity and its development: the museum then inherited all of the studio works of the famous Montalbanian painter and took the name of Ingres Museum. Enlarged, modernized, digitalized ... the museum is today spread over 2,700 m2 with new spaces, enhanced accessibility, a new museography, a sumptuous conservation cabinet housing Ingres ' drawings, an entire floor dedicated to the Bourdelle's work, magnificent rooms for temporary exhibitions, a tea room / boutique / bookshop ... The digital museum : In order to benefit from the reopening of the museum, a new visiting companion is proposed to you: an application which will allow you on the one hand to access practical information and to book your ticket in advance and on the other hand, enrich your visit with new content. Throughout the year, activities for young people are offered: game booklet, internships, museum holidays, my birthday at the Ingres Bourdelle museum, educational service workshops. "Chez Madeleine" - Bookshop, boutique, tea room : Located on the ground floor of the former episcopal palace, the tea room of the Ingres Bourdelle museum welcomes you throughout the day. In the heart of the tea room, a bookshop-boutique offers you books and objects that will allow you to bring back a memory of your visit to the Ingres Bourdelle museum. (Opening hours identical to those of the museum. Access possible without ticket.) The museum documentation center at 15 rue de ville de ville. This documentation center specializing in the collections of the Ingres Bourdelle museum offers catalogs of collections or exhibitions, French or foreign publications related to them, as well as works files, a photo library and access to the database. Consultation exclusively on site and by appointment. The Association of Friends of the Ingres Bourdelle Museum since its creation in 1924, has supported the promotion of our collections by publishing an annual bulletin, participating in museum acquisitions and offering monthly conferences on cultural themes related to current events in museums and exhibitions. www.amis-musee-ingres.fr OPENING TIME : - Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Closed every Monday, January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25.

Small Italian theater with 550 seats, nestled in the heart of the city ...A first room preceded the current building, the city having built in 1792 a space until then dedicated to the game of palm to turn it into a theater. In the face of popular success, it soon proved too small. The architect Fragneau was then commissioned to rebuild it: he endowed the new building with a neoclassical facade all brick, crowned with a large triangular pediment. The capacity of the new hall, opened in 1849, was 528 spectators spread over four levels. Access was then through the rue de la Comedie, inconvenient because narrow. This situation will last until 1931. Thanks to the subsidies paid by the City of Paris to rebuild Montauban after the terrible floods of March 1930, a new facade was built, opening on the place Lefranc de Pompignan built in the late nineteenth century . The architects Jannin and Olivier composed a monumental entrance showing the elements of the Place Nationale (brick, semicircular arches, pilasters with projections, mirandes) and enhanced by four bas-reliefs by the sculptor André Abbal: La Musique, La Danse, La Comédie and Poetry.