Come meet the historical celebrities of the "Sud-Ouest Authentique": the musketeer D'Artagnan, the painter Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres... and Henri IV!
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres hailed from Montauban and is a key figure in the history of art. The timeless beauty and signature style of his work is an endless source of wonder.
His paintings whisk you away to the sophisticated and elegant world of French neoclassicism, giving you an insight into a master artist's ingenuity.
Art enthusiasts can get a closer look at the great master’s talent and feast their eyes on the best-known pieces by Ingres at Musée Ingres in Montauban (which is devoted entirely to him).
Henri IV had a close bond with the Lot-et-Garonne area. The beautiful town of Nérac had a special place in his heart as he grew up here in his mother, Jeanne d'Albret, the Queen of Navarre’s court. Château de Nérac was the main residence for the future King of France and Marguerite de Valois, a.k.a. Queen Margot, between 1577 and 1582.
You can see the statue of Fleurette in one of the royal Parc de la Garenne's famous fountains. Fleurette was the gardener's daughter who young Henri seduced. They were madly in love but it didn't end well: the prince left her and she drowned herself with a broken heart in the Baïse. This tragic yet beautiful tale is what gave us the expression “conter Fleurette”, which is where we get the word “flirt” in English.
A little further away, the biggest fortified mill in France, Moulin des Tours de Barbaste, was the king’s favourite stopover on his way to his hunting estate.
Henri IV made his mark on the region’s history with several military campaigns. He made Montauban a protestant stronghold and peacefully restored it to the French kingdom in 1595 after converting to Catholicism.
As you explore the sites and soak up the local history and culture, you’ll get a better insight into the bond between France’s favourite king and the South West. This beautiful region knows how to roll out the red carpet for its visitors and make them feel like royalty!
D'Artagnan is still a legend in French history. The musketeer’s name brings to mind bravery, loyalty and swordsmanship. He was born into Gascony nobility as Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan in 1611 in Lupiac, a small village in the Gers département. He joined Louis XIV’s army as a young man.
He grew up in this picturesque and rural region. His life was full of thrilling adventures, epic duels and memorable encounters with historical figures, such as Cardinal de Richelieu and the beautiful Constance Bonacieux.
Alexandre Dumas made him a household name and his tale continues to dazzle anyone who loves history and heroic adventures, making D'Artagnan a classic hero in France and world literature.
Dive into the fascinating world of the Gascony musketeer and experience the legend surrounding him on D’Artagnan tours or at Musée d'Artagnan in Lupiac. Events, reenactments and performances, including the D’Artagnan Festival in early August, put the famous musketeer’s life and feats in the spotlight.
Regional Committee for Tourism and Leisure Occitanie
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