Montbazens is a commune in the Aveyron department, in the Occitanie region, 25 km northeast of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
Its 17 km² territory, which the Audiernes stream crosses in particular, has retained a resolutely rural character, covered with agricultural crops (64% of its area), meadows (26%) and around fifty hectares of wood.
If Neolithic tools (from 5000 to 2500 years before our era) have been unearthed, as well as Gallo-Roman remains, testifying to a very ancient human occupation, it is at the turn of the Year Mil that a first village is formed then called "Long City". A priory dependent on the abbey of Aurillac is then established. It is around the monastery that the current town developed, once surrounded by ramparts.
Former stage on the way to Saint-Jacques, having prospered thanks to the trade and the know-how of its stonemasons, stronghold of the agricultural region of Ségala (with farms specializing in livestock), Montbazens counts up to 2900 inhabitants in the 19th century. There are now only half of them, but the town which highlights its heritage of character and its leisure offer is a pleasant stopover during a stay between Quercy and Rouergue.
During a walk in the village dedicated to heritage, we see how it was built around its medieval priory. This is the case of the former home of the prior, precisely, a beautiful dwelling in the Gothic style of the 16th century which has now become the town hall. We observe that a tower shelters a stone spiral staircase. In addition, a watchtower with a very neat curve, half-timbering and mullioned windows have been preserved. Information on +33 5 65 80 60 06.
Nearby stands the Saint-Géraud church, which became a parish after being a priory. The arched portal, interior walls and pillars testify to its Romanesque origin (13th century). Revamped over the centuries, the building, whose fortified bell tower which was built in the 15th century has been restored, preserves an astonishing collection of priestly chasubles from the 18th and 19th centuries. It also houses a remarkable Baroque altarpiece and a rare statue of Saint Emilie de Rodat (born in Rodez in 1787, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family).
Close by again, the round tower of the Salset Pouget house on the main avenue, the square tower of the Saint-Géraud college or the old Barri gate are also testimonies of the medieval town...
The village then developed around fairgrounds (which hosted livestock markets) which became beautiful squares. The habitat has remained beautifully crafted over the centuries, built in characteristic local stone: the locality had up to fifty stonemasons in the Middle Ages. A tradition and know-how that have endured and symbolized by a work by Rémy Teulier donated to the town in 2012, representing this tough but noble work...
Another work of art that attests to this local wealth, near the he church, the sculpted fountain by the artist Hervé Vernhes, established in the neighboring village of Peyrusse-le-Roc, and whose fresh water comes from the Aubrac mountains…
On the cultural level, the town has the amazing Cavaignac-Gladin museum dedicated to Chinese art and ancient earthenware. It is housed in part of the former home of the prior, which became the town hall, and which was, after the departure of the monks, the property of the Cavaignac family (from which came the general who distinguished himself during the 2nd Republic). They are descendants who bequeathed a collection of earthenware (plates, dishes, vases, etc.) from the most famous French factories (Moustiers, Nevers, Delft, etc.), as his descendants bequeathed to the municipality silks and ancient art objects. that Jean-Pierre Gladin, responsible for the French post office in China, at Fou Tchéou, from 1905 to 1910, brought back to France. The museographic bias is to present the double exhibition in a setting representing the interior of a 19th century bourgeois house. Like what, in the heart of Aveyron, this museum invites you to travel through time and space! Open on request. Free admission. Contact +33 5 65 80 60 06.
On the "nature" sports and leisure side, note that you can walk in the green setting of the Jaunac park, to the south-west of the town, that tennis courts can be reserved with the town hall (join +33 5 65 80 60 06) and that a bowling alley is accessible to visitors or holidaymakers. In addition, in summer, you will appreciate cooling off in the pools of the municipal outdoor swimming pool. Outdoor spaces (lawn or slabs) are dedicated to idleness. Open in July and August. Price: 2 and 3 euros. Information on +33 6 30 61 49 42.
It is also possible to fish in the rivers of the town and the surrounding area. Find out more from the Ver Rouge association on +33 5 65 63 76 99.
There is still tremendous potential available to hikers. Whether they are pedestrians or cyclists, they have the ability to discover the bucolic countryside of the Montbazens plateau via various marked routes, some taking up the paths of Saint-Jacques of yesteryear. Maps and information on +33 5 65 63 77 94.
