Along the banks of the Tarn
Montauban has an eventful history with the Tarn River on whose banks it was founded in 1144. For centuries, the city drew from the river the sources of its prosperity, establishing numerous mills and flourishing river trade. However, the Tarn has proved to be a capricious ally, whose regular and sudden floods have over the centuries repeatedly devastated Sapiac and Villebourbon, the lower districts of the city. The importance of the floods in the 20th century led to the implementation of a vast anti-flooding device along the Tescou and the Tarn. On this occasion, walking paths were created close to the city center, in a relaxing natural environment rich in fauna, flora and ecosystems specific to the Tarn river.
This biodiversity deserves to be preserved and discovered. The maintenance of the banks excludes any chemical treatment in order to avoid polluting the water or destroying the insects, batrachians, birds, bats, small mammals and numerous plants present on the banks.
This walk invites you to discover an exceptional architectural heritage, in an environment rich in natural spaces of rare quality in the heart of the city.
The Treil Park
Comprised between the Pont Vieux and the Moulin de la Palisse, on the banks of the Tarn, is today a true nature space in the city, which includes several areas: grassy area, tree lanes and Natura 2000 area along the Tarn. Learn how to observe and differentiate between the herons of the Ile de la Pisotte that nest in the summer months and learn about the functioning of this heronry through several interpretation stations.
Also download the city and nature booklet
A true directory of the fauna and flora of Greater Montauban.
A little out of the way …, the Piboulette lake
On these 2 kilometers conducive to observation, your walk will be punctuated with explanatory panels on the nature that surrounds you.