: Montauban

Montauban is the prefecture of the Tarn-et-Garonne department, north of Toulouse, a beautiful pink-brick town (ville rose) founded as a bastide in 1144. The city is noted for its Place Nationale, a perfectly preserved arcaded square, and as the birthplace of the painter Ingres.

Montauban has a major TGV station on the Paris–Toulouse line (30 minutes from Toulouse). By car, the A20 motorway runs through the city. The nearest airport is Toulouse-Blagnac.

The historic centre, including the Place Nationale and the cathedral area, is compact and walkable. A local bus network serves the wider city.

The Place Nationale, a perfect rectangular square with pink-brick arcades. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption contains Ingres's Vow of Louis XIII. The Musée Ingres Bourdelle. The Pont Vieux (14th-century fortified bridge).

Walk the Tarn riverbanks. The Saturday market on Place Nationale. Wine tours to Fronton and Côtes-du-Tarn.

Duck and goose products (foie gras, confit, magret). Quercy lamb and truffles. Terrace restaurants around Place Nationale.

Fronton wines (Négrette grape) and Côtes du Tarn. Armagnac and floc de Gascogne.

Hotels from budget near the station to mid-range in the city centre. Chambres d'hôtes in the old town.

Foie gras, duck specialties, Tarn-et-Garonne plums, truffles. Artisan chocolate and pottery.

Toulouse (40 minutes). Bastide towns (Auvillar, Lauzerte). Moissac Romanesque abbey.