Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral

Standing out with its white façade in a city where red brick reigns supreme, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption rises above Montauban as the highest point in the historic center. Its construction was ordered by King Louis XIV in 1685, right after the Wars of Religion, as a bold statement of both royal power and Catholic authority. After a fundraising effort and the purchase of several plots of land, the first stone was finally laid in 1692. Over a century later, the cathedral itself – 87 meters long and 38 meters wide – stood complete. The two towers you see, built in the classical style, were once topped with elegant bell turrets, though these were sadly demolished in 1831. Above the entrance, four large statues represent the Evangelists, their stony gazes watching over the city. Inside, you’ll find the classical style continues with tall, elegant vertical lines that create a sense of harmony and solemnity. And here’s a striking detail to take with you: the cathedral’s central doorway holds the record for tallest church portal in all of Europe – even taller than the one at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.