Montauban

City of Ingres

Montauban isa city of art and history, with the Grand Site Occitanie label, and boasts a wealth of remarkable historical treasures, as evidenced by the many monuments listed or classified as historical monuments.

Walls steeped in history, shady parks and gardens, country footpaths… discover the assets that make Montauban a “city in the country”.

A little HISTORY

Welcome to the City of Ingres

Founded in 1144 by Alphonse Jourdain, Count of Toulouse, Montauban(Monte Albanus – White Mountain) owes its name to the silver willows present on the site when the town was founded. A prosperous city and a favored trading place on the river route to Bordeaux, the town experienced dark times during the Catholic Reconquest. Montauban’s second golden age came in the 18th century, with the creation of many of the town‘s mansions, for which it is still renowned today.

CIAP

Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Centre

Montauban has been awarded the Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label, and as such, the CIAP ‘s mission is to promote and facilitate access to the city’s culture and history. From their offices on the 1st floor of theAncien Collège, they have devised numerous ways to discover the town and its history. Discover: a free permanent exhibition entitled “Montauban, portrait d’une ville” (Montauban, portrait of a city) to explore the major stages in the city’s history, from its foundation to the present day. Pick up your brochures at the Tourist Office! – Parcours Montauban” to discover the city’s heritage and history. – The “Zig Zag à Montauban” booklet, a fun way for little ones to discover the city’s secrets! The CIAP (Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine) also joins forces with Wivisites to help you discover the city on your own. Immerse yourself in the history of our beautiful city thanks to our geolocated tours to read and listen to!

Wivisites

Did you know?

The common expression“Faire les 400 coups” (“Doing the 400 rounds”) has its origins in a historic episode in the town of Montauban.

In 1621, King Louis XIII laid siege to Montauban and ordered the simultaneous firing of 400 cannon shots on the historic town center to obtain the city’s surrender. Impacts can still be seen on the bell tower of Saint-Jacques church. Instead of surrendering, the Montalbanais preferred to celebrate, hence the expression!

While the legend lives on, the 400 coups is also one of the biggest funfairs in the South-West, held in Montauban in September. A tribute to the city’s resistance in the face of siege, the event features strolls, sounds and lights, popular banquets, period sports and games… all of which help to keep the city’s memory alive .

La fête des 400 coups

What to do in Montauban

Our suggestion

ELLE EST TOUTE CONSTRUITE DE BRIQUES ROUGES QUI SIFFLENT DOUCEMENT (…) Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, excerpt from “La Ville”, undated, Musée Ingres Bourdelle collections

From Place Nationale to the MIB*, from street-art to the water’s edge… Montauban reveals its most beautiful colors. Follow the guide. * Ingres Bourdelle Museum