The capital of Tarn-et-Garonne, the town of Art and History of Montauban is both welcoming and lively, and is popular for its pleasant way of life. Founded in 1144 by the Count of Toulouse, Alphonse Jourdain, it offers residents and visitors a rich heritage, in terms of both culture and buildings.
The historic heart of the fortified town, the superb Place Nationale, a square where a little market takes place every day, is surrounded by both a double row of arcades and elegant brick facades. Around the square, pleasant pedestrian streets invite fans of shopping and city walks to take a stroll around. Take a walk in Old Montauban and you'll also discover some beautiful monuments, like the Church of St. James and its splendid Toulouse-style octagonal bell tower, the 14th-century Old Bridge and its seven ogival arches over the waters of the Tarn, the Lefranc de Pompignan Mansion and its entrance door, the monument to the dead by the sculptor Bourdelle, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in the classical style.
Near the Old Bridge, the Ingres Bourdelle Museum based in the old 17th-century Episcopal Palace simply must be seen. Dedicated to the works of the two famous artists born in Montauban, this prestigious establishment contains remarkable collections of paintings and drawings by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, as well as sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle. The museum also offers lapidary and archaeological collections, and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.
