Saint-Jacques Church

a place of worship full of stories

Located in the historic center and a symbol of resistance, it retains an old-fashioned charm and remains a special place in the hearts of the Montalbanais.

Its steeple points skywards, drawing us in even before we cross the Pont Vieux from the Villebourbon quays on the other side of the Tarn.

Step closer and admire the facade’s colorful La Vision mosaic. If you look up, you’ll discover the stigmata of the Wars of Religion, with cannonball impacts clearly visible!

Cradle of the 400 coups

The Saint-Jacques church became the seat of a veritable ” civil religion “. Consuls were elected here and important decisions were taken. During the Wars of Religion, the church was transformed into a fortified position. During the 4-month siege by Louis XIII’s troops in 1621, Montauban held out against the king. Since then, the church has borne the scars of cannonballs. In 1629, Cardinal de Richelieu celebrated a Te Deum for Louis XIII‘s victory.

The Toulouse bell tower

The bell tower proudly blends into the landscape of southern Toulouse, strongly marked by the architectural charm of its churches and cathedrals. In the pure tradition of Toulouse bell towers, this tall, octagonal, multi-storey tower has its roots in Romanesque architecture. Do you recognize it? The unique and distinctive character of the Southern Gothic style.

Did you know?

No evidence remains of the original building. The origins of the church date back to the foundation of Montauban.

Its presence is attested in 1147 by a donation from knight Pierre de Penne to the abbey of Saint-Théodard. Its layout was relatively simple: a single rectangular nave with a flat chevet.

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The building was rebuilt from 1241 and enlarged within the limits of the urban grid, which explains the proximity of the church to the rest of the dwellings.

It features a vast single nave with five straight bays, enclosed by a seven-sided apse.