Temple of the Carmelites

In the 13th century, Montauban saw a growing network of convents begin to take shape just outside its city walls, slowly extending their reach over time. One of them was the Carmelite convent, founded in 1280 near the spot where the Tarn and Tescou rivers meet. But in the 16th century, during the fierce Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants, the convent was completely destroyed. The Carmelites were exiled; their buildings reduced to rubble. And yet, undeterred by loss, they returned in 1631, thanks to the Edict of Nantes, which finally brought an end to the conflict. To mark their return, they rebuilt their convent from the ground up, and in 1717 it was officially inaugurated. Today, the site is listed as a historic monument, and is home to a beautiful cloister with a small landscaped garden, designed in the spirit of medieval tradition. Inside, you’ll see four distinct sections of plants – medicinal, ornamental, edible, and fruit-bearing – gently framed by the sound of water trickling from a central fountain. Step quietly into the Carmes chapel, where you might hear the soft strains of a music conservatory rehearsal in progress, and let your mind wander back through time.