Walks and hikes in Greater Montauban

in Montauban

Our must-haves

Nestled between valleys and hillsides, the Church of the Nativity is well worth a visit!

Located at the southern tip of the Montauban commune, this is a fairly long path through a landscape of valleys and hills. From here, it is possible to reach the communes of Corbarieu and Saint-Nauphary. Over a distance of almost 10 km and lasting 2h30, this circuit of the Fau valleys offers views, descents through undergrowth, streams and hillside lakes. You’ll need to be observant and attentive, as it’s not uncommon to come across roe deer.

Practical info:
Montauban Course 9.8km
Difference in altitude 139m Duration 2h30

Did you know?

To impress your fellow walkers

The church dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady was ruined by the Calvinists in 1561, and rebuilt in 1647 in a modest manner, most of it in rammed earth. In the mid-19th century, the floor was raised, the walls raised, the building enlarged by the construction of two side chapels, and the nave lengthened to the west with the reconstruction of the façade and bell tower.

In 1954, the interior was redesigned by two artists from La Jeune École Toulousaine of 1950: master glassmaker Raymond Clercq-Roques and ceramic painter Pierre Saint-Paul. Their talents were put to work on the choir fresco, the stained glass windows, the enamelled ceramics for the Stations of the Cross and the mosaic in the baptistery. These modern works, set in a small country church, are a real eye-catcher. Inspired by the greatest movements in twentieth-century art history – Cubism, Fauvism, Abstraction – they bear witness to the revival of sacred art after the Second World War.

This bold decorative program was not to everyone’s taste, and led to controversy in the same year as the installation of Zadkine’s monumental Christ (1954) in the church at Caylus. The lower part of the fresco evokes man’s work on earth, whose toil opens the way to heaven and the spiritual life. There are even a few scenes from local life. The upper part takes us into an interpretation of heavenly life through a few scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Above this fresco, a complex geometric figure could symbolize the cloud in which God addresses mankind.

Eglise Du Fau Pr Les Vallons Du Fau @jean Claude Miquel Association Des Amis De Leglise Du Fau

Fresco Eglise Du Fau Pr Les Vallons Du Fau @jean Claude Miquel Association Des Amis De Leglise Du Fau

PR4 - The Léojac hillsides

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Unusual stories from Léojac's churches!

An attractive, gently sloping route, with a majority of wooded paths. The second longest itinerary in the Greater Montauban area, this is a half-day walk. It passes through varied landscapes of plains and hillsides. Views of the Tarn valley and the Quercy hillsides can be enjoyed along the way.

Practical info:
Montauban Course 12.1km
Height difference 90m Duration 2h30

Did you know?

To impress your fellow walkers

As you drive along the D70 near Les Farguettes, on the border with the commune of Montauban, you are inevitably struck by a tall structure standing out among the tall grass. This concrete skeleton is none other than the unfinished church of Sainte-Thérèse. Just a few metres away, you’ll discover another religious edifice of much more modest dimensions: the church of Léojac, dedicated to Saint-Symphorien, whose history is closely linked to that of its imposing neighbor. Both Léojac churches are located in the commune of Montauban.

From small to large church :
Léojac’s small church, dedicated to the young martyr Saint-Symphorien, was already mentioned in 1215. In 1561, it was destroyed by Calvinists, before being restored in the 17th century. Several relocation projects were mooted over the years, before being abandoned. In July 1927, Abbé Garibaud was assigned to the site. His ambition was to build a new church, and he did everything in his power to achieve it, mobilizing the parishioners. In 1931, he himself ploughed the outline of the future basilica on private land that would not be acquired by the diocese until years later.

An unfinished project:
In 1936, the bishop of Montauban, Monseigneur Durand, called for a competition among architects to design the building, and Montalban’s Pierre Moure was chosen. Abbé Garibaud mobilized the parishioners, both physically and financially, to raise the necessary funds and start work on the church, whose dimensions were impressive for a country parish.
parish.
However, funds were soon in short supply, and the Abbé innovated to raise the money: he sent letters to every parish in France, and sold merchandise… But this was not enough. Work ceased in August 1938. The Second World War put a definitive end to fund-raising, and the project was abandoned at the Liberation.
Vegetation had invaded the structure, which was showing signs of serious deterioration. Fences, dotted with “danger” signs, were erected around the property. The Diocese of Montauban, which did not have the financial capacity to consolidate the building, now needs to find a new buyer.
As for the little church in Léojac, it recently underwent roof repairs, and the town of Montauban has scheduled interior work. The church is currently closed to the public.

Other routes

PR1 - Lasserre Wood

PR5 - The Fau loop

PR2 - Piboulette lake

PR3 - The Saint Martial valley

PR7 - The Aiguillons loop

in Lacourt Saint Pierre

Our must-haves

PR1 - Hiking and cycling

The Montech canal and its lock houses, a canal like no other!

On this easy loop itinerary, we cross the countryside of the village of Lacourt Saint Pierre through fields, woods, orchards and vineyards. On the last part of this trail, you’ll follow the towpaths of the Montech canal, where you’ll come across hundred-year-old cedars.

Practical info:
Lacourt Saint Pierre Course 5.7km
Height difference 34m Duration 1h30

Did you know?

To impress your fellow walkers

The “Canal de l’embranchement” or “Canal de Montech” links Montauban to Montech. The Canal de l’embranchement is a picturesque, wild canal often identified with the Canal du Midi.
It was created so that freight boats sailing on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne could reach Montauban. The branch canal was opened in 1844. It was closed to navigation in 1990 for complete renovation. During the renovation, all locks were automated, and the canal was reopened to navigation in 2003.
On this second part of the route, you’ll come across locks and lock houses.
Lock houses were once the homes of lockkeepers. Lockkeepers were responsible for maintaining the edges of the locks, helping to clear the canal of silt, recording all passages in a special logbook and ensuring the safe passage of boats. And yes, in the past, the locks weren’t automatic, they were operated by a crank.
A blue sign hangs above the door of each lock house. On it appears the name of the lock where we are, as well as the name and number of kilometers separating us from the upstream and downstream locks. Most locks are named after the locality in which they are located. Rectangular in shape, all the locks on the branch are 30 m long and 6 m wide, while those on the Garonne Canal are 40 m long and 6 m wide.
At Lacourt Saint Pierre, you’ll find a port where you can eat on the picnic area in the shade of the poplars, relax and enjoy a tour of the village.

in Lamothe Capdeville

Our must-haves

PR1 - The Ardus hillsides

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A royal factory at Château de Lamothe!

Loop on the heights of Lamothe Capdeville, through orchards, forests and 80% of paths. Undulating countryside, where traditional crops mingle with natural areas rich in orchids. When the weather’s fine, you’ll be treated to views of the Pyrenees. On this discovery trail, numerous interpretation panels will give you information on the reading of agricultural landscapes, fauna and flora.

Practical info:
Montauban 9.8km route
Difference in altitude 139m Duration 2h30

Did you know?

To impress your fellow walkers

Since ancient times, the Ardus soil has been rich in a plastic raw material much appreciated by the ceramics industry.

In 1737, Baron François Duval set up an earthenware factory on his Lamothe estate, just a few years after building his château. Becoming a royal manufacture in 1749, the company produced armorial tableware and medicine jars. Faience is a red earthenware pot covered with a tin-based glaze that gives it a brilliant white appearance, and was a great success on the tables of the kingdom in the 18th century.

Ardus pieces are characterized by their blue and white decoration. Some of these pieces can be seen at the Musée Ingres Bourdelle.