The 13th-century royal fortified town of Beaumont-de-Lomagne has retained its typical mediaeval new town features, with its central square and its huge 14th-century wooden market hall. Its fortified brick church in the Southern European Gothic style is topped with an imposing Toulouse-style bell tower.
Not far from the square, the Fermat Mansion, dating from the 15th and 17th centuries, was the birthplace of Pierre de Fermat (1601-1665), the famous mathematician who pioneered differential calculus. Inside, visitors can view an exhibition on the life and work of this great researcher, complete with mathematical brainteasers and puzzles.
White garlic, a Lomagne speciality, is celebrated here every year at the garlic festival which takes place in July, and at the garlic markets which take place on Tuesday mornings from July to January.
A market selling fruit, vegetables and other regional produce takes place every Saturday morning in the market hall.
For water sports lovers, a lake at the edge of the town is ideal for a spot of bathing, sailing, canoe-kayaking, pedalo riding or fishing.
Former royal bastide of the thirteenth century located in the heart of Tarn-et-Garonne, Beaumont-de-Lomagne takes place in Lomagne Garonne country Quercy Gascogne, between Auch, Montauban, Agen and Toulouse.
Founded in 1276, the town is gradually developing, especially around the cultivation of garlic Lomagne which she made her great specialty. Highly marked by the Hundred Years' War and the many battles, Beaumont-de-Lomagne, a Catholic city surrounded by Protestant cities, is also facing the brunt of religious wars. Once again prosperous since the 18th century, the city is now appreciated for its gastronomic specialties, including Saint-Sardos, a wine with an AOC.
Beaumont-de-Lomagne also has a charming architectural heritage testifying to its wealth over the centuries.
Southern Gothic style, the church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption was built at the end of the thirteenth century. Proud of its fifteenth century Toulouse octagonal bell tower, it is now listed as an historic monument. Its monumental portal of the fourteenth century was partly destroyed at the end of the eighteenth, then reworked.
The town has a beautiful architecture, including interesting mansions to discover by walking in the old streets. Do not miss the house of the Lord of Argombat of the sixteenth century, the Hotel de Saline, the Noble Hotel of the eighteenth, the Hotel Vergnes of the sixteenth, or the house of Jean d'Armagnac of the fifteenth century, the François Bordes' hotel or the house of François-Isidore Darquier.
Built in the 14th century, the Beaumont-de-Lomagne hall is classified as an historic monument. With its roof surmounted by a dungeon, it stands proudly in the center of the city.
While strolling, do not miss to admire the hotel Toureilh of the XVIIth century which hosts the Town hall, the hotel Fermat which shelters the Office of Tourism, or the presbytery of the 15th century.
Child of the country, the mathematician Pierre Fermat is entitled to his statue, and it is also possible to discover his birthplace with a permanent exhibition, games and mathematical manipulations, puzzles or riddles.
Horse racing fans will also be able to visit the racecourse of Borde-Vieille to attend a few races.
