A Sunday in Spring | Montauban Tourisme

A morning between

Art and seasonal delicacies

Start your day with a visit to the Musée Ingres Bourdelle*, the city’s must-see cultural treasure, nestled in theformer episcopal palace. In spring, the special light streaming through its large windows sublimates the works of the master Ingres and the powerful sculptures of Bourdelle. Spring’s temporary exhibitions offer a fresh look at the collections, while the museum reveals its light and airy spaces, in perfect harmony with the season of renewal.

I'm off to the MIB

*The little extras

Remember, the MIB is free every 1st Sunday of the month! If you’re not there on the 1st Sunday of the month, be sure to keep your admission ticket – it may come in handy later!

Continue your morning stroll through the picturesque streets of the historic center. Montauban’s pink brickwork glows in the spring sunshine, wisteria and climbing and descending flowers adorn the balconies and facades of the townhouses, and the first café terraces come alive under the arcades of Place Nationale. Let yourself be carried away by theunique atmosphere of this city of art and history, which seems to be waking up after winter.

Don't forget to

Fill your basket

It’s time to put together your own picnic of springtime treasures. Head for the Place Nationale covered market and nearby delicatessens such as Chez Léonard and Chez Emma. The stalls are brimming with the first wonders of the season: tender purplish Quercy asparagus, fragrant gariguette strawberries, fresh radishes, new cheeses, succulent local preserves and local wines. The artisans and producers will be delighted to advise you on how to put together a gourmet basket of spring flavors.

To extend the experienceGroup treasures

Discover all the good things to enjoy this spring.

A lunch break

In the heart of a green setting

With your gourmet basket under your arm, head for the Jardin des Plantes, a veritable arboretum in the heart of the city. This haven of peace, created in the 19th century, offers a dazzling spectacle in spring: majestic mulberry trees with white blossoms, tulip trees with green and orange blossoms forming a delicate cloud, beds of multicolored tulips and flower-lined paths. Settle down on one of the lawns in the shade of the Giant Sequoia or on a bench on the banks of the Tescou River to enjoy your feast, lulled by the songs of the birds that have taken possession of the site. The arboretum, with its rare and varied species, offers you an open-air botany lesson, particularly remarkable at this time of year when new varieties are blooming daily.

An afternoon to compose

According to your wishes

Spring in Montalban invites you to continue your day as you please:

The fun and cultural option

For families and the curious, the Musée des Jouets opens its doors to collections that will delight young and old alike. Antique dolls, wooden toys and games of yesteryear will plunge you into a sweet nostalgia.

The Toy Museum

The natural science option

Natural science enthusiasts may prefer to visit the Victor Brun* Natural History Museum, one of the oldest in France. Its ornithological and entomological collections are particularly interesting in spring, when insects are hatching. Temporary exhibitions often echo the local biodiversity that blooms before your eyes at this time of year.

*Please note: you were careful to keep your Musée Ingres Bourdelle ticket? Present it at the museum ticket office, and you’ll be entitled to a discount!We also remind you that the museum is free every 1st Sunday of the month!

The nature option

Lovers of the great outdoors can opt for a hike on one of Greater Montauban’s many marked trails. Spring is the ideal season to discover the wild orchid trails that bloom on the surrounding limestone hillsides. The paths lined with flowers, the meadows dotted with budding poppies and the undergrowth carpeted with wild flowers will offer you an enchanting spectacle. Don’t forget your camera to immortalize these ephemeral landscapes!

Hiking in Greater Montauban

Bicycle option

For a more energetic way of discovering the area, head for the Port Canal, where you can rent bicycles for the whole family at Logis du Port. As soon as spring arrives, the Vélo Voie Verte, which runs alongside the Garonne Canal, awaits you for a safe and peaceful ride. Shaded by young plane trees, this route is alive with exceptional flora: hawthorns in bloom, wild irises. The banks of the canal, once a towpath, offer a flat itinerary accessible to all levels, ideal for a family outing. Look out for the first butterflies and waterfowl nesting along the canal.

The cruise option

To round off the day in style, treat yourself to a springtime cruise on the Tarn. Aboard the Compagnie Fluviale du Midi pleasure boat, you’ll discover Montauban from a whole new angle. The water level, often optimal in spring, makes for smooth and pleasant cruising. The weeping willows brushing the water with their young shoots, the swifts circling the Pont Vieux and the pink facades of the townhouses reflected in the water create a lively, ever-changing tableau. Your captain will tell you all about the city’s fluvial history, and point out the flora and fauna that come back to life after winter.

Make a reservation!

To prolong the magic

As the day draws to a close, the café terraces of Place Nationale welcome you to savor the sweetness of the lengthening spring afternoons. Head to l’Agora, Les Cintres tearoom or the French Coffee Shop to enjoy an infusion of local herbs, a fruity white wine or a flower-flavored artisanal syrup, all while contemplating thetranquil bustle of the square.

A spring Sunday in Greater Montauban is the promise of an enchanted interlude where heritage, gastronomy and the rebirth of nature come together in harmony.

Spring Sunday