Montesquieu-Lauragais is situated in the Haute-Garonne department in the region of Occitanie. Its inhabitants are called Montesquiriens. This town in the urban area of Toulouse is in the Lauragais, on the Canal du Midi, 28 km south-east of Toulouse.
Formerly called Montesquieu-sur-le-canal, this village born around the feudal castle of the beginning of the 10th century has a turbulent past. In the XIIIth century, Montesquieu-Lauragais will suffer looting and fires led by Simon de Montfort during his crusade against the Cathars. Occupied by Protestants during the wars of religion, Montesquieu was besieged, looted and burned by the Duke of Joyeuse in 1586. The village was once protected by ramparts and ditches that can be guessed by walking through the streets. The Gothic church (1600) has a beautiful bell-wall with 5 bays overlooking the plain.
Crossed by the Canal du Midi, the town is home to the interesting Négra lock. The latter was once a mandatory stop for the dinner (lunch) of the passengers of the post boat.
