Formerly called Montesquieu-sur-Canal, Montesquieu-Lauragais developed on a hill, around a feudal castle. Thanks to its geographical location, the village has become an essential place of passage, which has experienced all the highlights of the History of Lauragais, from the Cathar tragedy in the Middle Ages to the fabulous construction of the Canal du Midi, crossing the ages gold of wheat and woad.
Back to origins
In ancient times, a large forest covered Lauragais. Not far from here Aquitaine route connecting Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea, a fortified castle was built around the year 1000 on a promontory. Little by little, houses were built around it. The agglomeration, called “castrum” will take the name of Montesquieu, meaning “the wild mountain”.
Bernard de Montesquieu is the first lord to be cited in historical texts in 1140. However, from the beginning, several co-lords shared power until the French Revolution. In the XNUMXth century, Montesquieu became a major center of catharisme in Lauragais. Around ten Cathar houses exist as well as one of the five Cathar cemeteries in Lauragais.
Let's walk in Barrat woods
4km from the center of the village of Montesquieu-Lauragais, Bois Barrat invites you to share beautiful family moments surrounded by nature. A paradise for wild orchids, this wood offers a perfect mix of typical Lauragais vegetation. The wolf (2 hours) and lamb (1 hour) loops will allow you to discover the trees and animals of Lauragais.
Practical information
- Access is not signposted. Follow the following address on your GPS: Lieu-dit le Pigné 31450 Montesquieu Lauragais
- Large parking lot on site
- 3 picnic tables at the entrance to the woods
- 2 trails to discover the woods (1 hour or 2 hours to choose from): a map of the woods can be found at the entrance, on the welcome panel. Take a photo of it, this will help you find your way if you want to venture into the woods!
- Do not pick vegetation, keep your animals on a leash
A terrible destruction
The other significant period of the village is the 16th century and its religious wars. At that time, all the lords of Montesquieu converted to Protestantism. They live on pillage and ransom all the merchants traveling on the Aquitaine route. The Parliament of Toulouse, wishing to put an end to these brigandages, called in the Catholic troops of the Duke of Joyeuse. This is how 4000 men besieged Montesquieu for 10 days from June 23 to July 3, 1586.
The city was destroyed by cannon: the ditches were filled in, the houses, the ramparts and the church burned. Despite a ban on rebuilding the city, soldiers built a fort 10 years later to serve as a retreat for its inhabitants. The town quickly recovered from its ashes and the reconstruction of the church took place from 1600.
The golden age of the Canal du Midi
At the end of the 17th century, the Canal du Midi opened a new era of prosperity with theNegra lock, built below the village. It then serves as a stopover for passengers on the Post boat. This
the latter made the journey from Toulouse to Agde in 4 days. Négra was the first stop for travelers with an inn to have lunch (dinner) before continuing navigation towards Castelnaudary.
This inn was run in the 18th century by Jacques Duglas, whose beautiful residence is still visible on rue des Plumassières near the Saint-Jacques church.
The Négra lock houses a Chapel built by the son of Pierre-Paul Riquet. It is still consecrated, in the same way as that of Somail.
Practical information
- Market : every Friday morning
- Playground for children rue du Moulin Pastellier
- Picnic : tables at Négra lock and Barrat woods
- Boat rental without a license at the Négra lock: contact Locaboat
