Montauban Cathedral, Montauban, France

Montauban Cathedral is the seat of the Bishopric of Montauban, created in 1317, abolished by the Concordat of 1801 and transferred to the Archdiocese of Toulouse, and restored in 1822.

The cathedral was Protestant from the start of the Wars of Religion until Catholicism returned to Montauban in 1629.

The construction of a new church, the present building, was agreed after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. The cornerstone of the new cathedral was laid in 1692, and the church was consecrated in 1739. Initially, the architect François d'Orbay supervised the works. When he died in 1697, he was succeeded by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte.

The towers frame the west façade, a pure product that applies all the conventions of classical art, i.e. an Ionic facade with a peristyle mounted by statues of the Four Evangelists which replaced the original statues. The interior is decorated with pilasters, metopes and triglyphs, and the cathedral's strict and elegant vertical lines make it a masterpiece of classical architecture. A famous painting by Ingres, 'The Vow of Louis XIII', hangs in the north arm of the transept.

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User Reviews

Jacques P (2 years ago)
An all-white cathedral erected at the highest point of Montauban, to show Protestants the Catholic domination at the time, after the recapture of the city by the Catholics! Very beautiful building, currently closed to the public, due to unstable structure concerns! But don't hesitate to come and take a look at its newly renovated forecourt, with its reflecting pool and its small square! Jacques P

Pedro García Raja (2 years ago)
A sober façade in a charming square with a fountain that reflects the sculptures, deteriorated by time. The church is closed, but it is worth seeing its completely white façade. It should be noted that it is located in a square where there are two signs with different names: Plaza de Armas and Plaza de Franklin Roosevelt.

Yvette Bourguignon (3 years ago)
Very pretty but from the outside because it is under construction

Mireille Bruet (3 years ago)
The CATHEDRAL of Montauban is not very welcoming. The statues outside need a good cleaning, and the many pigeons degrade the monument. The forecourt is often covered with fiante. The place of this cathedral is regularly under construction. In summary, I prefer the cathedral of Albi which is magnificent. ??

Francois SILVA RAMOS (3 years ago)
Majestic cathedral by its size and architecture. Also making it stand out from the rest of the town is its construction in stone and not in bricks.

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