644km (400 miles) SW of Paris, 72km (45 miles) NW of Albi, 50km (31 miles) N of Toulouse
This pink-brick capital of the Tarn-et-Garonne département is the city of the painter Ingres and the sculptor Bourdelle. Montauban, on the right bank of the Tarn, dominated by the fortified Eglise St-Jacques, is one of the most ancient of southwest France's towns. The most scenic view of Montauban is at the 14th-century brick bridge, pont Vieux, which connects the town to its satellite of Villebourbon.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, an admirer of Raphael and a student of David, was born in 1780 in Montauban. His father, an ornamental sculptor and painter, recognized his son's artistic abilities early and encouraged him. He was noted for his nudes and historical paintings, now considered fine examples of neoclassicism. One of his first exhibitions of portraits in 1806 met with ridicule, but later generations have been more appreciative. With the exception of one work displayed in the town's cathedral, Montauban's work by Ingres is in the Musée Ingres .
Montauban Travel Experiences
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Day 45: Cite de L’Espace
Waking to discover that we slept in, and we had less than one hour to check out put us in a flat panic packing and dressing, loading the... Continue reading »
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La petite ville
Que dire de Toulouse dont la pluspart des gens ne conaissent que la saucisse? Dans un premier temps on pourrait parler de la taille... Continue reading »
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Lazing about Toulouse
My trip to Toulouse was not a tourist trip, but rather a social trip to visit my friend Sarah who had been studying abroad there since th... Continue reading »
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Boire et Manger en France
I've loved the last 2 weeks in France. The wonders of unpacking, sleeping in the same bed for 13 days and being with my best friends will... Continue reading »
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Day 44: Toulouse
Toulouse, France today is warm, about 28oC and sunny. With our map we walk to the Saint Serin Basilica. The lanes and avenues twist and c... Continue reading »
