The “Tontons Flingueurs”

That’s right. It’s a roundabout. We get it – it’s probably not the kind of stop that screams “must-see attraction.” But don’t be too quick to judge, because this unassuming traffic circle happens to be home to one of Montauban’s quirkiest and most charming tributes. Take a closer look at the five plexiglass figures and you’ll start to see why. If you were born before the 1960s or you’re a fan of classic French cinema, you might just recognize them. Dressed exactly as they were in that legendary kitchen scene, these are the Tontons Flingueurs, the unforgettable crew from the 1963 crime comedy film also known internationally as Monsieur Gangster (or Crooks in Clover). The film follows Fernand Naudin, a retired mobster turned agricultural machinery salesman, whose peaceful life is cut short by a telegram from Paris. Nothing crazy, that is, until he learns the message is from a dying former associate, asking him to take care of his scatterbrained daughter and a few very questionable businesses that a pack of gangsters are itching to get their hands on. We’re talking an underground casino, an illegal distillery, and a brothel. Led by the iconic Lino Ventura, the cast made this film a staple of French pop culture, thanks to its razor-sharp wit, larger-than-life characters, and unforgettable lines like “Idiots will try anything; that's how you can tell they’re idiots.” And while the movie was filmed in Paris, one line spoken by Fernand – that is, “You should never leave Montauban” – was all it took to make the city pay this tribute. Montauban unveiled this playful installation in 2014. You’ll see five miniature Tontons Flingueurs standing mid-conversation in the middle of the roundabout. Two of the figures were stolen in 2018 and later replaced, but the tribute lives on. The total cost? Just under €8,000. A small price to pay for a wink to French cinema history.