LaFrance - Midi Pyrenees
Tarn-et-Garonne
Tourist Information
| Introduction & History |
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What to do |
| Map & Getting there | Wild life/plants | |
| Where to go/see | Further information |
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Three rivers flow through the departement: the Garonne, the Tarn which joins the Garonne below Moissac and the Aveyron which flows into the Tarn between Moissac and Montauban. The three rivers divide the department into three distinct hilly regions. The south west of the Garonne is a continuation of the plateau of Lannemazan with the Cevennes extending between the Garonne and the Tarn and between the Tarn and the Aveyron. The continuous valley formed by the three rivers belongs to the Central Plateau and the Causse of Quercy is in the north eastern corner. The canal of the Garonne crosses the departement for 48 miles and the Garonne and Tarn together have 82 miles of navigable waterway.
The famous flooding of March 1930 saw the Tarn rise more than 17 meters (56 ft) above its normal level in Montauban in just 24 hours. One third of the Tarn-et-Garonne departement was flooded, about 300 people died, thousands of houses were destroyed, the low districts of Montauban were destroyed and the town of Moissac was almost entirely destroyed.
Vines are grown everywhere and large quantities of grapes are sold for export. http://www.cave-de-donzac.com/ Traces of vineyards and wine making date back to Roman times and in the fourteenth century, while under English occupation, as much as 48,000 litres of wine was exported using the River Garonne as a great communication route.
Potatoes, plums and apricots are also grown in abundance. Horned cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry are all reared as are horses but for the specific purpose of the cavalry. To a lesser degree silk worms are cultivated for the small silk industry and truffles too are found in the Rouergue which boosts the economy. Linen, wool and paper are all manufactured and there are many tanneries for the leather trade. The departement forms the diocese of Montauban and comes under the jurisdiction of the Toulouse court of appeal. It has three arrondissements: Montauban, Moissac and Castelsarrasin which are also the principal towns of note.
History
There are also many prehistoric artefacts displayed in the town museums. The Romans too were very much in evidence and there are bridges, cinerary urns and roads. In Roman times the province of Gallia Aquitania originally covered the land between the Pyrenees and the Garonne river but Augustus Caesar also added the land between the Garonne and the Loire. The land extended inland as far as the Cevennes and the area it covered was equivalent to about a third of the size of modern day France. In the fourth century this huge province was divided into three separate provinces. Aquitania Prima, the north eastern portion, Aquitania Secunda the north western section with Bordeaux as its capital and Aquitania Novempopulana (the nine peoples) which covered the southern most and most strongly Basque portion adjoining the Pyrennees and covering what later became Bigorre, Comminges, Armagnac, Bearn, the Basque country and Gascony. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area, which covers the modern day region of Midi-Pyrénées, was taken by the Visigoths. The Franks subsequently conquered this area in 507, following the battle of Vouillé. In 561, the Basques seized the area, but in 602 it was again taken by the Franks and was made into the Duchy of Gascony. It was constantly ravaged by Saracens, Vikings and Hungarians from 720 to 860 but during the last half of the 7th century, the duke of Gascony extended his power over neighbouring lands. By the latter half of the 10th century, his successors dominated all of Gascony as well as Agen, Bazadais and Bordeaux.
The so-called ‘War of Succession’ broke out in 1032. By 1052, Gascony had become the sphere of Guy-Geoffrey who, in 1058, became William VIII, duke of Aquitaine. Concurrently, the duchy’s real power had been insidiously taken by the greater counts and viscounts. These nobles, and their successors, dominated Gascony for centuries. As with most areas in the Midi Pyrenees it did not escape the ravages of the Albigensian Crusade and much of the land bears testimony to the devastation wrought by Simon de Montfort in 1212.
During the 12th century, the ducal title to Aquitaine passed to the kings of England. Aquitaine, together with Gascony, remained in their power throughout the period known as the ‘Hundred Years' War’. The Black Prince built his fortress in Montauban, the ruins of which were built upon to house the Episcopal Palace and is now a museum. The war ended in the reconquest of the province of Aquitaine by the French king Charles VII. Gascony was then merged, by the French crown, with Guyenne into the government of Guyenne-et-Gascogne. Tarn-et-Garonne prospered in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries due to the success of the cloth trade. Cathar lands often leaned towards Protestantism and Tarn-et-Garonne did so in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Montauban became one of three protestant centres in France during the religious wars and managed to withhold a siege for eighty six days forcing the Louis XIII and his troops to withdraw. Tarn-et-Garonne was formed in 1808 by Napoleon. In so doing he took lands from the Aveyron to the east, the Tarn to the south east, the Haute Garonne to the south, the Gers to the south west, the Lot-et-Garonne to the west and the Lot to the north and named this new department Tarn-et-Garonne. Napoleon had created a varied geographical department without natural boundaries. The industrial revolution brought wealth and stability to the region. The advent of the railways meant easy accessibility from the major cities and trade flourished.
Getting there
By Air The majority of the low-cost airlines (include Ryanair, Easyjet, Eujet and Flybe) fly into these destinations as well as British Airways and Air France. A very useful site to look for flights with a number of airlines at one time is www.skyscanner.net Hire cars are readily available at the airports and you can book these in advance when booking the flights.
The nearest and largest
airport is Toulouse Blagnac which has regular flights to and from the UK.
Tel: 33 5 61424400
www.sncf.fr
By Road
By Boat Montauban Montauban is a beautiful pink city, home to the prefecture of Tarn & Garonne and home to over 53,000 people. It is one of the oldest fortified villages ("bastide") on the banks of the Tarn. It was built by the Count of Toulouse in 1144 strategically placed on the river in order to defend the roads to Toulouse.
It is an extremely well preserved town built in a symmetrical pattern around the market place and offers pedestrians different architectural styles like church Saint-Jacques with its 13th Century steeple, the 14th Century Pont Vieux, bridge spanning seven pointed arches which was built in 1335 and so made Montauban the best crossing point of the Tarn for miles around, the 17th Century Bishop's Palace housing the Ingrés Museum and exhibiting the works of Ingrés, Bourdelle, and Desnoyers, the Place Nationale, the brick market square with double vaulted galleries which are 17-18th Centuries, Hôtel de Pechels, Lefranc de Pompignan, du Sénéchal, and other mansions from the 17th and 18th Centuries. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10524a.htm Montauban boasts a proud history, which includes several sieges. By the nineteenth century Montauban became so important commercially that Napoleon created the département of Tarn-et-Garonne by cutting up several other départements. Famous children of Montauban include the painter Jean Auguste Dominque Ingres and the sculptor Bourdelle who was a pupil of Rodin whose works are displayed in the Ingres Museum housed in the old Episcopal palace.
Montauban is a lively yet
peaceful town with an historical atmosphere and modern facilities. There are
plenty of cafes and restaurants, and the shops range from modern department
stores, to exclusive boutiques, alongside the traditional markets. Moissac
It became a popular stopping place on the pilgrim's route to Santiago de Compostela and a centre for both spiritual and artistic influences evolving around an old Benedictine abbey.
The Abbey of St. Pierre was founded in the 7th century was partly destroyed by the Moorish invasion, restored at the time of Charlemagne, and destroyed by the Normans and reached its architectural zenith in association with the mother house of Cluny in 1047-1048. It was devastated by Simon de Montfort during the Cathar wars and restored by Viollet le Duc making it one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches of its kind. Today, it consists of a bell tower, with porch and doorway, and a unique nave, with Romanesque stone below and Gothic brick above and a stunning carved tympanum and cloisters, with 116 pillars which are the oldest and biggest (31metres x 7metres, 87 feet x 76 feet) and most beautiful in France. http://www.montauban.cci.fr/tourisme/moissac_e.htm
Montpezat de Quercy
It was home to the Pres family who sired important prelates of the church. Their interest in the church can be seen in the church of Saint-Martin built in 1337 in the Languedoc style and features side chapels separated by the interior buttresses of a single nave. The church also houses superb Flemish tapestries from the late 16th century, the fourteenth century marble statue of the Virgin with Doves, and several English alabasters.
Set among orchards on the foothills of Quercy it is a beautiful medieval town with the megalithic chambers in woods just north of Septfonds being close by. http://www.montauban.cci.fr/tourisme/montpezat_e.htm
Bruniquel Bruniquel owes its origins to a fortress built by Brunhilda, feisty daughter of the King of the Visigoths. Legend has it that "Then the army of the Franks and Burgundians joined into one, all shouted together that death would be most fitting for the very wicked Brunhilda. Then King Clotaire ordered that she be lifted on to a camel and led through the entire army. Then she was tied to the feet of wild horses and torn apart limb from limb. Finally she died. Her final grave was the fire. Her bones were burnt."
Her sarcophagus is in the Musee Lapidaire in Avignon and her name is inherent in the tower of one of the castles and in the town’s name itself. It is a tiny fortified village 262 metres above the confluence of the rivers Aveyron and Vere and is a pretty mix of old pink stone and red tile. Well-preserved 13th, 14th, and 16th century houses cascade along the southern slope of the cliff and two medieval castles dominate the village and the valley and are spread over several levels. http://brunehaut.free.fr/
The château provided the backdrop to recording of the unforgettable film ‘Le Vieux Fusil’ (The Old Rifle) directed by Robert Enrico and starring Philippe Noiret and Romy Schneider. It is open to the public and every July and August there is a festival celebrating the music of Offenbach. Many artists have found the fascinating historic town a stimulus for their creativity and have made their home there. http://brunehaut.free.fr/artisanat.html St. Antonin-Noble-Val
This town's spectacular position earned it the title "Nobilis Vallis," or Noble Valley lying beneath the towering white cliffs of Anglars Rock. This fortified town developed around the site of a Benedictine abbey and signs of the economic wealth of its most important period can be seen in the handsome buildings of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries which welcome visitors to the narrow streets of St Antonin.
The St Antonin market is particularly popular and one of the largest and most interesting locally. Most of the activity takes place Sunday morning and winds up by early afternoon. Stalls are set up from outside Casino food shop and the small square close by - it then spreads out and up the main old street into the heart of the old town leading to “La Halle” - the old covered market place. The Place de la Halle becomes jammed with stalls, everything from hippy drawstring trousers (made in Thailand), to local honey, hand-carved wooden toys, herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes, cakes, eggs, cheese, charcuterie, and vegetables. The town’s finest building is the Maison des Consuls built in 1120 which now houses the town museum.
Turning right and down hill off La Halle just past the bakers will take you past the Tourist Office and towards the river and bridge where there is a “pink” hotel - Hotel des Thermes so called because St Antonin once tried to become a spa town as its waters are famed for their efficacy with eye and bladder problems.
Every year a “traditional
harvest fair” is held in St Antonin. Agricultural skills and machinery no
longer seen in modern farms are demonstrated. Steam powered threshing
machines and donkey powered walnut presses are lovingly stirred into action
much to the delight of all those present. The museum at St Antonin houses a
perfectly preserved walnut press. The walnut oil produced by these presses
was a very important source of income for the local farmers. Caylus
As early as the Gallo-Roman period, a village stood where Caylus is; cinerary urns, Roman roads and the bridge on the Bonnette bear witness of that time. In the Middle-Ages, Caylus became the first commanding place in the Quercy : at the time, its jurisdiction included about thirty towns and villages as far as the banks of the Lot. Its liberties and customs were granted to Caylus in 1251 by Alphonse II, Saint-Louis's son, count of Poitiers and of Toulouse. During the
AlbigensianWars in 1211, Simon de Montfort put the town to fire and sword. Huddled stone houses form narrow, medieval, cobbled alleyways, Rue Droite and Rue Dulong lined with half timbered houses and at the centre lies the Place du Marche which includes an arcade and the impressive Halle with octagonal pillars that houses the old marketplace that still buzzes twice a week with the trading of local produce. Its variety and freshness are quite evident in the exceptional value of the menus of some of the local hostelries. http://www.auxdelicesdecaylus.fr/ The 14th century fortified church of St-Jean Baptiste with its octagonal steeple and stone spire has a beautiful chancel, an elegant seven-sided choir, and also houses the thought-provoking Christ Monumental by Zadkine which was carved out of the trunk of an elm in 1954. The Maison des Loups - the House of Wolves - is close by, which has an impressive facade with four wolf-shaped gargoyles and decorative arches.
A few kilometres away, the lake at Parisot provides swimming and boating facilities. Not far from Caylus are two chapels that are well worth a visit. The 15th century Notre-Dame des Grâces, has a fine carved doorway, stunning views across the surrounding countryside and was featured in the film Charlotte Gray. Legend has it that the second chapel, the Notre-Dame de Livron was built on the site on which a courageous knight - with a little help from Our Lady - killed a dragon. Also worthy of a visit nearby are Le Trou (The Hole) and the Fountain of Chantepleures, the natural wooded combe (cirque) of la Barthe, the small lake dominated by a ruined square tower, the remains of the ancient castle ; the ancient church of Saint-Amans-le -Vieux : a center of art and culture ; the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Livron, a famous place of pilgrimage and the Cistercian Beaulieu Abbey : a centre of modern art, 5 miles from Caylus. http://www.caylus.com/indexgb.html Auvillar
It is a beautiful village, its buildings of different shades of red creating a stunning picture in the sunshine and dominated by its circular corn market. River Garonne was navigable from Bordeaux and was used to transport salt from the sea, and wine and grain to the sea until the middle of the nineteenth century and it also provided the means of personal transport. It is known that tolls were collected in the harbour in 1204 but by the year 1789 there were only 49 sailors’ families living in Auvillar. These mariners were professionals operating the barges or boats (batellerie) on the river. The mariners were also religious people, having their own church or chapel in almost every harbour. In Le Port, you can find the chapel of Saint Catherine who was regarded as the patron saint of river people, although unfortunately it is in a state of disrepair. The summer sees hordes of pilgrims on their way to St. Jacques de Compostella wending their way into the village as it has done for centuries. Auvillar has always been a magnet to artists and still is today. During the 12th century, Macabrun, a poet and a musician, was born and lived in Auvillar. More recently, a number of Occitan poets lived in Auvillar, for instance, the blacksmith who hoped to provide his readers with “Lou pau d’or qu’ey dins la pensado” (Elie Pimpeterre 1872-1945). Until the beginning of the 20th century the “Macabrun School” participated in Occitan intellectual life. More recently, the elaborately decorated ceramics of Auvillar were another important part of a long tradition. The very attractive artefacts and artistic objects were still being produced during the 19th century. A remarkable collection of ceramics made in Auvillar during the 18th and 19th centuries is to be found in the Auvillar Museum of Art. Every July there is
an open painting contest which draws many visitors as does their festival of
wine which is held during the weekend following Pentecost. Magical Forest of Clairac
Automatons will take you to into a magical world where gnomes and animals will show you the hidden ways of a secret and mysterious life such as a gnome's family house to charm you, a fantastic Château to fascinate you, you will discover all sorts of surprising places.
Museums Montauban Montricoux Grisolles Bruniquel Sports/Outdoor Activities
Lac de Labarthe Chateau de Terrides
St. Nichols de
la Grave Fishing
Fédération Départementale Associations Pêche et Pisciculture du Tarn et
Garonne Canoeing
Association Nautique Moissagaise
Evasion Canoë, 22 bd condamine, 82140 St
Antonin NV, Tél : 05.63.30.87.45 Cycling
Comité Départemental de Cyclotourisme, 3 rue
Cyprien Portal, 82 000 Montauban, Tél / fax : 05 63 66 15 58 Au Pied des Pistes, Traverse, 82800 Bruniquel, Tél : 06.72.59.04.91 Rock Climbing
Espace Grimpe,
7 rue du GENIE, 82000 MONTAUBAN, Tél:
05.63.91.41.78
Planète Grimpe,
St Antonin Noble-Val, Centre International
d'Escalade, Initiation, stages, salle d'escalade, Tél: 05 63 30 66 66
Rambling/Hiking/Walking
Permanence : 1 rue de l’Abbaye 82200 Moissac, Tél / fax : 05 63 04 73 25. e-mail : cdrp82@wanadoo.fr
Guide de randonnées Horse Riding Ecuries de Reynies, Rue Henri Verdu, 82370 Reynies, Tél : 05.63.30.11.08 Centre Equestre de Nivelle, 2860 rte Albefeuille Lagarde, 82000 Montauban, Tél : 05 63 63 10 49 Centre équestre St Sernin , Saint Sernin , 82300 CAUSSADE , Tél-fax : .05 63 93 26 51, e-Mail : dthouron@freesurf.fr L’Ane d’Emile, Les brusques, 82240 Puylaroque, Tél : 05.63.31.90.96, Activité : randonnée avec des ânes de bâts. Le Harras de Sigbell, Vignes Grandes, 82150 SAINT BEAUZEIL, Tél : 05 63 95 25 65 Les Ecuries des Elfes Blancs, Le Cruzel Haut, 82440 REALVILLE, Tél :05 63 30 38 24, Fax : 05 63 30 39 49 BERNARD BRUEL BORDENEUVE, 82500 Auterive, Tél :05.63.65.37.33 Atre (accueil tourisme rural et équestre), Ferme des Jourdious, 82230 Monclar, Tél : 05.63.30.41.18 Les Ecuries de Brial, Brial, 82710 Bressols, Tél :05 63 02 14 35, Activité : pratique de l’équitation, initiation, formation. Comité Départemental de Tourisme Equestre, Villeneuve, 82290 Barry d’Islemade, Tél : 05 63 31 65 49 Centre Equestre, M. Guy Daumerie, Lieu Dit Lauzinie, 82190 Lacour, Tél : 05.63.95.23.31
Ferme Equestre des Shetlands, La Serre des
Maurels, 82230 Monclar de Quercy, Tél : 06.87.51.63.70 / 06.07.18.74.07
Centre Equestre « Dubarry », Raynauds, 82230
Genebrières, Tél : 05.63.30.41.10 Golf Golf Club d'Espalais , 9 hole course, club house/restaurant, Tél : 05 63 29 04 56, Fax : 05 63 29 04 56 www.golfespalais.com/ Golf de Montauban "Les Aiguillons", 9 hole course, club house/restaurant, Tél : 05 63 31 35 40, Fax : 05 63 31 39 14
Golf des
Roucous à Sauveterre,
9 hole course, 5244 m, par 70, practice, putting green, club
house/restaurant, tennis, swimming pool. The warm climate and position make the department of Tarn-et-Garonne a haven for wildlife. Quercy is on a natural migration route meaning there is a wealth of bird life, particularly in the spring and autumn when raptors, kites, falcons, eagles and ospreys are in abundance. Common and honey buzzards are residents and peregrines and short toed eagles can also be spotted.
Despite their brilliant colouring, orioles are often difficult to see slipping through the foliage where sun, shade and trembling leaves create a broken pattern of black and yellow - perfect for hiding from prying eyes. The male, beautifully patterned in buttercup-yellow and jet black, may first reveal his presence by glorious fluting. Females, with their cat-like squalling, are greener and no easier to detect. Normally one associates tree frogs with the rainforest but they can be see seen throughout the department and also spectacular hummingbird hawk moths, which dart and hover above the flowers throughout the day along with brimstones, red admirals, fritillaries and swallowtails. The pine marten, a tree loving weasel, has been decimated across much of its European range, but there are healthy colonies in the numerous woods and copses which scatter the region. Seeing these is difficult, but if you walk quietly through the trees you may well be rewarded by the sight of their favourite prey, the red squirrel. The woods play home to wild boar too, which rummage through the leaf mould for invertebrates and nuts. These are shy creatures and seeing these is also difficult, but early risers may catch a glimpse of a sow and her piglets rooting in the fields around dawn before disappearing into the woods for the day. Deer, badgers, dormice and the shy chamois can also be seen. The Midi Pyrenees is home to many wild orchids including very rare species and particularly so around the region of St Antonin Noble Val where as many as 48 different species can be found. Liliane Pesotto and Bernard Lemoine have done some fascinating research on them including pollination by butterflies and spiders. Check out their fascinating website at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/liliane.pessotto/
Montauban is the departmental capital and is home to just over 53,000 people. It was originally called Mont Alba, the latter being the Occitan word for willow trees, of which there are still a great number within the town and all over the region. Apart from wild animals there is a charity in Roquecor looking after stray cats that is helped by the Fondation Brigitte Bardot and they have regular fund raising activities in the area including some delightful concerts. http://perso.wanadoo.fr/lesamisdeschats/English%20Site/About%20AdeC.htm Tourist offices: |
The
climate is mild and although rain seldom falls, throughout the spring there
are heavy downfalls which raise the annual rainfall to 28/30ins. The wide
valleys of the three rivers see wheat, maize and oats occupying two thirds
of the land. 
Much
evidence in the Tarn & Garonne bears witness to prehistoric man. There are
at least four high quality dolmens in the woods to the north of Septfonds
with a further eleven in the commune. 
Moissac
is a port on the river Tarn and is also an important harbour for the Midi
canal. Its position on the river and easy access to the canal has been the
important in its economic growth. It produces 200,000 tonnes of fruit such
as peaches, nectarines, cherries, kiwis, melons, apples, pears and
strawberries as well as the chasselas grape for which the region is famous
which grows in abundance on hillsides alongside the river.
Montpezat
de Quercy was a medieval village encircled by ramparts but one can still see
the cob walled houses and the Renaissance half timbered houses in the
streets by the covered market place.
Classified
as an historic monument in 1840, the Château de Bruniquel (12th, 13th, and
17th century) was constructed above a Roman castrum atop the cliff.
Belonging first to the Counts of Toulouse, the castle was divided between
two branches of the Comminges family two centuries later. This dual
ownership explains the distinction made today between the Château Jeune
(Young Castle) and the Château Vieux (Old Castle) which was built on the
ruins of the Brunhilda’s sixth century fortress. It was home to William of
Tudela who wrote La Chanson de la Croisade Albigeoise and house a 90 metre
long gallery which overhangs the valley giving awesome steep views.
The
‘young’ castle, built in the fifteenth century houses a prehistoric museum
showing artifacts found in nearby caves one of which was the Meyrieres Cave
which contained ancient wall paintings that were erased by over enthusiatic
graffiti cleaners in 1991.
St.
Antonin was founded on the site of a Roman camp and lies between the Aveyron
and Bonnette rivers. 
The
buildings are tall, weather beaten grey sandstone and are a pleasing jumble
of medieval and modern. The town hall, built in 1125, is the oldest in
France; now a museum, it displays a remarkable collection of local
prehistoric artifacts. Periods of war and prosperity have left their mark on
the village making it a living museum of medieval civil architecture unique
in France. Nearby is Cas castle, Bosc Cave and museum, Cistercian Abbey and
contemporary art centre of Beaulieu-en-Rouergue.
The
situation of Caylus, at the crossroads of the Causse and of the Terrefort,
accounts for the existence of the ancient town and its importance in the
Middle-Ages. It is situated on a hill, surrounded on three sides by the
steep wooded slopes of the limestone plateau and is considered the prettiest
of the towns on the river Bonnette, a tributary of the Aveyron.
A
delightful country lane meanders northwards from Caylus, again hugging the
Bonnette, beneath an arch of trees, bordered by grassy slopes of wild
flowers, pigeonniers and mill-houses, and the village of Loze atop an
impressive escarpment of dramatic views. Beyond, after a stretch of abrupt
wooded banks, lie the village of Puylagarde and the hamlet of Le Bousquet,
amidst gently rolling meadows and copses. 
Auvillar
is on the list as one of the most beautiful villages of France. The remains
of civic and religious building bear testament to the fact that it played an
important role in the past. Fragments of mosaic are often discovered in the
surrounding area showing evidence of its Gallo Roman history. Between Moissac and Valence de Agen the Garonne abruptly turns south west and passes
the foot of the hill of Auvillar which is on two levels. It is on the lower
level that the village of Auvillar overhangs the river 
The
chateau is set in more than 250 acres of woodland, meadows and lakes and
they offer mountain biking, archery, kayaking, volleyball, 4x4 circuits,
Tennis and swimming as well as a luxury restaurant.
The
general ambience of the area make it a delightful place for song birds and
the nuthatch, hoopoe, nightingale and finches can all be seen and heard.
Probably the most striking of all the songbirds is the gentle golden oriole.
