"Between past and present" Villemur-sur-Tarn by Klod5

Villemur, city of 5000 souls about is very close to born the river.

The old city, to the medieval structures with its narrow and twisting streets, its venelles, its covered passages are enclosed between the river and the coteau.De his/her/its prestigious past she/it keeps her/its monuments historics : the Tower of Defense, masterpiece of military architecture of the XII° century, the Attics of the Roy XVII° century and the admirable frescos of painter Bénézet toulousain in the choir of the church Saint - Michel.

Since 1035 is attested the existence of the " castellum " of Villemur. In 1178 a very liberal charter is bestowed at the city.

The site was favorable to defense ; it was only vulnerable on two points : to the south the ford on the river, to the north the access by the line of the small hill. Facing the ford one built a powerful tower and on the small hill a castle very massif was construit. This two works were sufficient, with the ring of the battlements, to dissuade a possible aggressor.

The Tower of Defense

The history of the city is fertile in dramatic évènements. In 12O9 the inhabitants learner that Simon of Montfort approached of the city (it was only a bad rumor) fired their houses and ran away to Rabastens.

To the treaty of Meaux in 1229 that puts a term to the crusade of the Albigeois, Villemur is to the number of the 8 strong places given in pledge for ten years to the king of France by Raymond VII, very Toulouse. Its count one of the 4 places that the king

has the right to destroy in case of non observation of the terms of the treaty. In 1271, to the death of the last count of Toulouse, Villemur as the Languedoc will be connected to the crown.

In 1319 Pierre of the Way, nephew of the Pope Jean XXII will be the first baron of Villemur. In reason of the active part that took, in the War of Hundred Years, the house of the Way, Charles VI will erect the barony in vicomt. The fief will be acquired in the XVI° century by the houses of Foix and Albret.

Festival medieval

In 1561 Jeanne d'Albret kisses the reformed religion. Before affirming itself Huguenot city as the viscountess, Villemur will welcome the Catholic clergy of Montauban hunted by the calvinistes.La city will know the religious hates with their excesses and their violences.

In 1592, Scipion le Joyeux chief of the Ligueurs (fanatic Catholics) of Toulouse makes the seat of Villemur. A long and terrifying battle opposes the inhabitants, assisted by the Protestant montalbanais, to the royal strengths. During 9 days the heroic defenders value head the Ligueurs. This historic battle will end by the discomfiture of the Catholics, the death of their chief Scipion and a big number of soldiers by the rupture of the bridge of boats during their retirement.

In reward of their valor and to permit the restoration of the city, Henri IV bestows to the inhabitants a discount of taxes and an indemnity of 3000 ecus.

In 1596 Henri IV the vicomt sells to his father's faithful mate, for the sum fabulous of 700 000 ecus.

Thereafter, the history of the city will often be bound to the évènements of national order, notably during the Revolution.

One cannot pass in silence over the terrifying test undergone by the city March 3, 1930 when the Tarn, in a sudden and devastating rise in the water level (18m above the étiage), surprised the inhabitants lulled . 6 victims were to deplore and more than 50 houses collapsed. The reconstruction will be undertaken and will be finished in some years under the impulse of mayor Ourgaut, with the sponsorship and the support of the city of Lyons and its mayor Edouard Herriot. The city aired and purified will be endowed of one city hall of inspiration and style Flemishes.


François le Bon, duke of Lesdiguières (1541-1626)


One cannot describe Villemur while omitting to relate the existence little common of this historic character who was viscount of Villemur.

François le Bon, born in 1541 to Saint - Cap in the Dauphiné, more precisely in the Champsaur, inherited his father of a small strong house in the Diguièreses of which later it will pull his/its name after having transformed it in castle.

Orphan of father at five years, it cannot continue sufficient resource studies mistake and can lead to Saint - Cap a precarious existence ; it enters into the troops of Gordes and kiss the Reform, and makes of the Champsaur a real camp entrenched to the head of a handful of men, himself structural to the help of the Protestant in Dauphiné, in Savoie and even in Provence.

Meeting Henri of Navarre in Montauban, it becomes with him a deep friends and, in 1596, Henri IV always without resources, sells to Lesdiguières the vicomt of Villemur; this one had a splendid home of which it will only subsist the outbuildingses known as the Roy's Attics constructed.

In 1598 by the edict of Nantes, Henri IV having re-established the religious peace, Lesdiguières won't be forgotten and in reward of its faithful services he will receive the load of governor of the Dauphiné, the title of duke and the stick of Marshal of France.

Louis XIII maintained in Lesdiguières his father's confidence, that will follow the King and Of Luynes to the seat of Montauban in 1621. It is at the castle of Monbeton that the duke resold to the King the vicomt of Villemur.