Around Montauban

Culture and sightseeing

Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

35 minutes away :

• Moissac : a centre of Romanesque art, famous for the Abbey of Saint Pierre with its Romanesque cloister, but also the home of the Chasselas AOC table grape...
  http://tourisme.moissac.fr

50 minutes :

• Toulouse : the capital of Midi-Pyrénées, a must-see. www.toulouse-visit.com
  
• Cahors : the Middle Ages were a golden age for Cahors, as the little back streets in the historical centre will tell you.
  www.holidays-cahors.co.uk

1 hour away :

• Villefranche-de-Rouergue : a beautiful bastide town founded in 1252, associated with Najac in the collection of Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées. www.tourisme-villefranche-najac.com
  
  
  
  

Villages

45 minutes away :

• Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val : a village with a rich medieval heritage and enviable way of life in the magnificent setting of the Aveyron Gorge. www.tourisme-saint-antonin-noble-val.com
• Auvillar : officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooking the River Garonne. Don’t miss the round market hall and Tour de l’Horloge clock tower. www.auvillar.fr
• Lauzerte : this bastide, also officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France, looks out over the fertile hillsides of Quercy Blanc. Don’t miss the Pilgrim’s Garden. www.quercy-sud-ouest.com
• Caylus : a picturesque little town huddled in the bottom of the Bonnette Valley. Don’t miss the Maison aux Loups wolf reserve and 15th century market hall. www.caylus.com

Museums

25 minutes away :

• Musée Marcel Lenoir – Château de Montricoux : this château at the gateway to the Aveyron Gorge was where the artist Marcel Lenoir (1872-1931) found his inspiration. http://marcel-lenoir

30 minutes away :

• Tableware Museum – Belleperche Abbey : a surprisingly engaging museum in the vast halls of this former Cistercian abbey. Fascinating programme of events. www.musee-arts-de-la-table.fr
  
  
  

Castles

30 minutes away :

• Châteaux de Bruniquel : these two castles standing at the top of the medieval village of Bruniquel have a spectacular vantage point over the Aveyron Gorge. 

35 minutes away:

• Château de Penne : clinging to a rocky spur in the Aveyron Gorge, this castle is currently being restored. Various events through the season. www.chateaudepenne.com

1 hour away :

• Château de Gramont : on the border of the départements of Tarn et Garonne and Gers, this well-preserved castle is home to a splendid collection of furniture. www.gramont.monuments-nationaux.fr
  
  
  

Vineyards

20 minutes away :

• Fronton AOC vineyards : several wine estates well worth exploring between Montauban and Toulouse in countryside with a distinct feel of the South. 

45 minutes away :

• Cahors AOC vineyards : certified under the national ‘Vignobles et Découvertes’ quality scheme, this area produces fine wines. 

 

 

Outdoor activities

Cycling

15 minutes away :

• Canal des Deux Mers Greenway cycling route - Montech : from Montech to Moissac or even as far as Valence d’Agen, enjoy a gentle peddle along this superb greenway that crosses the entire Tarn et Garonne département. Note that the Canal des Deux Mers is a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées.
  www.tourisme-tarnetgaronne.fr

Treetop adventure trail

15 minutes away :

• Agrip’Aventure - Montech : fun aerial climbing trails in the magnificent Montech Forest, from age 3.
  www.agrip-aventure.fr
  
  

Outdoor leisure

30 minutes around :

• The Aveyron Gorge: this stretch of river, limestone plateau and cliffs between Montricoux and Saint Antonin Noble Val is a paradise for canoeing, walking, mountain biking, rock climbing and paragliding.
  www.tourisme-saint-antonin-noble-val.com

Fairs and festivals

35 minutes away :

• Les soirs de Moissac : classical music concerts in the cloister at Moissac Abbey. July/August.
• The Châteaux de Bruniquel Festival: outdoor concerts and comic operetta performances, with a chance to dine with the artistes. July/August.

45 minutes away :

• Au Fil de l’Eau une Histoire in Valence d’Agen: historical spectacle on the banks of the Canal des Deux Mers evoking the sights and sounds of Midi-Pyrénées. August.