L’église Saint-Jacques

Over

Along with the Old Bridge, it is the only medieval vestige of the city …

Following complete repair work on the roof of the nave, the Saint-Jacques church, an emblematic monument of the city’s built heritage, is closed to the public.

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This church has its origins from the founding of Montauban. Its presence is attested in 1147 by a donation made by the knight Pierre de Penne to the abbey of Saint-Théodard: three houses located “near the Saint Jacques church”. No testimony remains of the first church, it being rebuilt in the following century by the great Montalbanese families, in expiation of their sympathies for the Cathars.An exemplary monument of southern Gothic architecture , it has a vast single vaulted nave on a cross ribs, narrow windows, a polygonal apse and a Toulouse-style bell tower. Transformed into a watchtower (bell tower), saltpeter manufacturing workshop (nave) and fort (choir) during the Wars of Religion, the Saint-Jacques church still bears traces of cannonballs from the siege of 1621 on the facade.After the Catholic reconquest (1629), Richelieu ordered the identical reconstruction of the church.Once a cathedral (1629-1739), it was provided in the 18th century with new side portals and a gallery. Its facade received in the 19th century a neo-Romanesque decoration, while the nave and the choir were adorned with wall decorations. BUSINESS HOURS : In summer, Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In winter, Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Religious services on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.)

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