Former Jesuit College

Built in the region’s traditional red brick, the former Jesuit college stands tall and proud, its imposing silhouette blending naturally into the Montauban skyline. The building began its life as a private mansion, which quickly grew as additional neighboring homes were added on. In 1676, the Jesuits – a Catholic religious order – purchased the property for 20,000 French livres, roughly the equivalent of 600,000 euros today. Once settled, they opened a college within its walls, where they educated the sons of Protestant families according to a strictly Catholic curriculum. But this chapter didn’t last long. In 1763, the Jesuits were expelled from France, and the site was transformed into a cannon foundry for the Republic’s army. Believe it or not, nearly 360 artillery pieces were produced right here! In the 19th century, the building housed a boys’ high school. These days, it serves the city in a very different way; it’s now home to Montauban’s dance conservatory, the Department of Cultural Development, the Tourist Office, and the Interpretation Center for Architecture and Heritage.