Formerly called Montesquieu-sur-Canal, this village, located on a hill, developed around the feudal castle at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Montesquieu was once one of the ten main cities of the diocese of Toulouse.

In the XNUMXth century, it was the refuge of Bons Hommes et Bonnes Femmes (the Cathars) who owned ten houses in the village. According to the texts, there was even in Montesquieu one of the five Cathar cemeteries of Lauragais! At that time, the village was protected by ramparts and ditches, the layout of which can be guessed by walking through the streets.

In the 3th century, the lords of Montesquieu espouse the cause of Protestantism. The inhabitants convert to this new religion. After ten years, on July 1586, XNUMX, the village was besieged by the Catholics led by the Duke of Joyeuse. It is reduced to ashes and the inhabitants are strictly forbidden to return.

However, despite this ban, the city is gradually being rebuilt.
The Saint-Jacques church dates from 1600. It has a beautiful 5-bay bell tower overlooking the plain.
Crossed by the Canal du Midi, the town is home to the interesting Négra lock below.
The latter was formerly an obligatory stopover for the "dinée" (lunch) of the passengers of the Post boat.

Guided tour for groups, on request all year round.

Services

Equipment

  • Picnic area.

Services

  • Playground

To discover nearby

LE GRAND ESQUILAT

THE GRAND ESQUILATE

LE CLOS DE MONTGAY [OUVERTURE EN JUIN 2025]

LE CLOS DE MONTGAY [OPENING IN JUNE 2025]

CAMPAGNE CHIC

CAMPAIGN CHIC

LA CABANE – MAS DE BRIQUEPIERRE

LA CABANE - MAS DE BRIQUEPIERRE

LE CLOS DE MONTGAY

THE CLOS DE MONTGAY

PÉNICHE DONDON

BARGE DONDON

CENTRE HISTORIQUE DE VILLEFRANCHE-DE-LAURAGAIS

HISTORICAL CENTER OF VILLEFRANCHE-DE-LAURAGAIS

BITTERSWEET

BITTERSWEET

GITES LES GRANGES DE FLOLIE – ALEXIA

GITES LES GRANGES DE FLOLIE – ALEXIA

IL BOTTEGAIO

THE BOTTLE

MONT-RELAIS-GAILLARD LA TAVERNE

MONT-RELAIS-GAILLARD THE TAVERN

LA PETITE PLUME

THE LITTLE FEATHER

A FLEUR DE PATES

FLOWER OF PASTA

IL VILLAGGIO

THE VILLAGE

LE PAILLE EN QUEUE

STRAW IN TAIL

BONICI PIZZA

BONICI PIZZA

TXIKI BURGER

TXIKI BURGER

LA RIPOSTE

THE RESPONSE

LUMIERE DES SENS

LIGHT OF THE SENSES

ZONE EVASION

ESCAPE ZONE

DRAGONBOAT AVIRON

DRAGONBOAT ROW

PLANEUR – ASSOCIATION AVAT

GLIDER - AVAT ASSOCIATION

NATURALIANCE – MARIE CAVAILLE

NATURALIANCE – MARIE CAVAILLE

HOOK A LIP – PECHE A LA MOUCHE

HOOK A LIP – FLY FISHING

CANAL DU MIDI

MIDI CANAL

TUINAMA

TUINAMA

PERRINE SYVESTRE

PERRINE SYVESTRE