The Episcopal Palace of the former bishopric of Rieux-Volvestre, in the town of the same name, in Haute-Garonne, 40 km south-west of Toulouse, was the residence of the bishops of the city.
The old priory church of the small town was in fact erected to the rank of cathedral in 1317 by Pope John XXII who dismembered the diocese of Toulouse, which was deemed too vast. It will retain this title until the First Empire and the reintegration of the diocese of Rieux into that of Toulouse...
While work was being carried out to enlarge and embellish the new cathedral, a private mansion was then erected in the immediate vicinity for house the new bishops (also called "Maison Laguens"). Of this, only the part adjoining the church, rue de l'évêché remains… And it was rebuilt in the 16th century. We observe that the coats of arms of the bishops which adorned the portal were erased during the Revolution. On the facade, overlooking the Grande Rue, the lintels of the doors with carved stones, wrought iron grilles at the level of the windows, and on the courtyard side, the characteristic half-timbering of the region have been preserved.
The most singular element of the old episcopal palace is however a high hexagonal tower ending in a brick pyramid. It was erected in 1510 and bears the name Tour Valtan, after the then bishop, who had initiated work to restore the palace partially damaged by fire. The shape of the tower is of obvious Moorish inspiration and is reminiscent of a minaret.
The other part of the former bishops' palace which is now listed in the Inventory, rebuilt more recently, houses a medical center.
The exteriors can be admired during a visit to the very rich and picturesque historic center of the city, before or after discovering the old cathedral and its treasure (the palace was once connected by a footbridge to the building).
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