Villebourbon District

Cross the Old Bridge, where the black and white pebbles, said to come from the Tarn and the Garonne, lead you straight into the Villebourbon district. As soon as you're above the water, look to your left. There, along the riverbank, stretches a beautiful row of old houses. It's often the very first glimpse visitors get of Villebourbon when arriving in Montauban. Once a working-class suburb named after Henri of Navarre, the future King Henri IV, this district was once a busy industrial hub, home to tilemakers, mills, and dye factories. The Tarn, flowing nearby, played a key role in its development. Traces of that prosperous era are still visible in the colorful façades of the townhouses built in the 17th and 18th centuries by wealthy textile merchants. Among the finest are the Bonnafé townhouse from the 1600s and the Archdeacon's House from the following century—both with beautifully preserved façades. But Villebourbon also carries the memory of one of Montauban's darkest chapters. In March 1930, the Tarn flooded in just 24 hours, swallowing entire streets and leaving destruction in its wake. Villebourbon was hit especially hard. 191 people lost their lives. To this day, many locals remember it as the worst tragedy the city has ever known. But Villebourbon is also a place of resilience, and celebration. Back in 1621, when Montauban was under siege by the royal army of King Louis XIII, nearly 400 cannon shots were fired over two days to scare the townspeople into surrendering. Instead, the people of Montauban threw a banquet. Right in the middle of the shelling. It was their way of mocking the king, and standing their ground. That moment of defiance gave birth to a local tradition: the Festival of the 400 Blows. Every year, the district comes alive with parades, games, and performances in memory of that bold stand. And before you leave, make sure to stop by Villebourbon's covered market. It was opened in 1935, designed by Marcel Renard—an architect, sculptor, and medalist, and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2005. Inside, you'll find all kinds of fresh local delights: sausages, pâtés, poultry, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and artisanal goods. It's the perfect spot to pick up something tasty, or to take home a delicious souvenir from Montauban.