Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building on the Place Nationale in Montauban is part of a remarkable 16th century architectural ensemble. This historic monument is distinguished by its ground floor forming a double vaulted gallery on dogive crosses, while the top three floors feature alternately rectangular and circular bays. Some houses in the square bear the dates of 1516 and 1556, attesting to their construction during this period. The Toulouse architect Pierre Besneville is at the origin of this complex, characterized by the almost exclusive use of the brick, with the exception of the keys of the arches, vaults and window supports, made of another material.

The National Square illustrates the influence of Toulouse architecture in Montauban, with a regularity of ordinances that breaks only on the third floor. The facades and roofs of these buildings were classified as Historic Monument by decree of 6 March 1917, highlighting their heritage value. The brick construction, a dominant material in the region, and the presence of vaulted galleries reflect the techniques and aesthetic tastes of the Renaissance in southwestern France.

The precise address of this building is the 17 Place Nationale, in the department of Tarn-et-Garonne (region Occitanie). Although the GPS location is approximate, official sources, such as the Merimée base, confirm its location in the heart of Montauban. The square, conceived as a harmonious urban space, bears witness to the ambitious urbanism of the time, mixing commercial functionality (galeries) and architectural elegance.

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