Montauban

Montauban is a commune and prefecture of the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region of southern France. It lies on the Tarn river, about 50 kilometers north of Toulouse, and serves as the department’s administrative center.

The town has a long history as a bastide founded in the medieval period. Its historic center is characterized by a regular street plan and red brick buildings that reflect its early architecture and urban development. Montauban has preserved several notable medieval and early-modern landmarks that illustrate its regional heritage.

Key monuments and institutions in Montauban include the Pont Vieux over the Tarn, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, and the Musée Ingres. The museum houses works by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and other 19th-century artists, tying the city to its most famous native figure and contributing to its cultural profile.

Economically, Montauban combines public administration with services and small-scale industry, benefiting from its role as a regional center and its surrounding agricultural hinterland. The town is connected by rail and road to Toulouse and other major cities, with the A62 autoroute and the regional Toulouse–Montauban railway line providing transport links.

Culturally, Montauban is closely associated with the legacy of Ingres, and the Musée Ingres remains a focal point for the arts in the region. The city hosts various cultural events and serves as a gateway to the Quercy countryside, reflecting its role as a historic and administrative hub in southwestern France.