Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: 82

Caussade is also known as the "City of Hats" because of its great fashion tradition. Hat making was originally a cottage industry using pieces of straw plaited by local shepherds. These were used to make hats. In the 1860s, the railway spawned the hat industry as it effortlessly brought heavy, modern machinery to Caussade. At the beginning of the 20th century, this industry reached its commercial peak, with the most famous product from Caussade being the "Canotier" straw hat. Today there are only a few milliners left here. Every year in July, the "Fête du chapeau" takes place in honor of the long-standing tradition. www.willys-paris.com

Caussade is also known as the "City of Hats" because of its great fashion tradition. Hat making was originally a cottage industry using pieces of straw plaited by local shepherds. These were used to make hats. In the 1860s, the railway spawned the hat industry as it effortlessly brought heavy, modern machinery to Caussade. At the beginning of the 20th century, this industry reached its commercial peak, with the most famous product from Caussade being the "Canotier" straw hat. Today there are only a few milliners left here, the Crambes company being the best known. Every year in July, the "Fête du chapeau" takes place in honor of the long-standing tradition.

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. - This Lourdes grotto is located in the large and well-kept garden of the "Chapelle de l'Immaculée conception".

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. - The Droguerie Couderc has existed since 1880. A badger guards the display in the left window.

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. - Street art near the "Place Nationale". Red blood cells?

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. The layout of the Place Nationale still shows the marketplace of the planned city of the Middle Ages. Deep arched arcades surround the square.

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. The layout of the Place Nationale still shows the marketplace of the planned city of the Middle Ages. Deep arched arcades surround the square.

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard. In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629. Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance. The Pont Vieux built 1311 - 1335. Once the Sainte Catherine chapel stood on the bridge. It was equipped with an iron cage for dipping blasphemers into the river.

The first mention of Castelsarrasin dates back to 961, when Count Raymond I of Rouergue bequeathed the Saint-Sauveur church to the Moissac monastery. With its castle and fortifications, Castelsarrasin became an important fortress in the county of Toulouse. During the Middle Ages, the city and area were ravaged by wars. In 1320, during the Shepherds' Crusade (Croisade des pastoureaux), many Jews sought refuge in Castelsarrasin. A Jewish author told, that 200 Jews there took their own lives when they realized that they could not escape their persecutors. According to a Latin source, it was the Pastoureaux who massacred 152 Jews, not just at Castelsarrasin but also in neighboring localities. The Saint-Sauveur church, already mentioned in 961, was rebuilt in 1254 due to the growth of the population. Priory of Moissac Abbey until 1626, it remained the most important of the churches in the diocese of Bas-Montauban until the 1789 Revolution. It is built entirely of brick in the style of the early Gothic architecture of southern France.- Two very exotic faces on the choir stalls. The worldwide missionary work opened churches to such strange icons.

The first mention of Castelsarrasin dates back to 961, when Count Raymond I of Rouergue bequeathed the Saint-Sauveur church to the Moissac monastery. With its castle and fortifications, Castelsarrasin became an important fortress in the county of Toulouse. During the Middle Ages, the city and area were ravaged by wars. In 1320, during the Shepherds' Crusade (Croisade des pastoureaux), many Jews sought refuge in Castelsarrasin. A Jewish author told, that 200 Jews there took their own lives when they realized that they could not escape their persecutors. According to a Latin source, it was the Pastoureaux who massacred 152 Jews, not just at Castelsarrasin but also in neighboring localities. The Saint-Sauveur church, already mentioned in 961, was rebuilt in 1254 due to the growth of the population. Priory of Moissac Abbey until 1626, it remained the most important of the churches in the diocese of Bas-Montauban until the 1789 Revolution. It is built entirely of brick in the style of the early Gothic architecture of southern France.-

The village of Montpezat-de-Quercy is a bastide in the province of Quercy Blanc. Like the very most of the bastide it was planned around a central market square that is surriunded by half timbered houses with it shady arcades. The remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement were found, but the town reached its peak in the Middle Ages, ruled by the noble family Montpezat. They were accused of Cathar-heresy around 1250 and were replaced by the Prés family. A well known member of them is 1280, Pierre des Prés, born 1280. His parents were anxious that he join the priesthood. He was called (aged 26) to the service of Pope John XXII, who was a native of Cahors. During his lifetime Pierre des Prés held many positions of high office and offered great loyalty to the Pope. He became Vice-Chancellor of the Roman Church and led a distinguished career of over 45 years until he died of the plague in 1361. Being rich and influental Vice-Chancellor he wished to erect a church in the village of his birth and Prés arranged for the construction of the Saint Martin Collegiate Church. It was built in the southern French Gothic style and was consecrated in 1343. About 200 years later Flemish tapestries were made for the choir of the collegiate church, telling the life of Saint Martin. Saint Martin sharing his cloak. To the right a Moorish horseman wearing a turban. In the forground the poor, amputated man using a crutch.

The village of Montpezat-de-Quercy is a bastide in the province of Quercy Blanc. Like the very most of the bastide it was planned around a central market square that is surriunded by half timbered houses with it shady arcades. The remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement were found, but the town reached its peak in the Middle Ages, ruled by the noble family Montpezat. They were accused of Cathar-heresy around 1250 and were replaced by the Prés family. A well known member of them is 1280, Pierre des Prés, born 1280. His parents were anxious that he join the priesthood. He was called (aged 26) to the service of Pope John XXII, who was a native of Cahors. During his lifetime Pierre des Prés held many positions of high office and offered great loyalty to the Pope. He became Vice-Chancellor of the Roman Church and led a distinguished career of over 45 years until he died of the plague in 1361. Being rich and influental Vice-Chancellor he wished to erect a church in the village of his birth and Prés arranged for the construction of the Saint Martin Collegiate Church. It was built in the southern French Gothic style and was consecrated in 1343. About 200 years later Flemish tapestries were made for the choir of the collegiate church, telling the life of Saint Martin.

The village of Montpezat-de-Quercy is a bastide in the province of Quercy Blanc. Like the very most of the bastide it was planned around a central market square that is surriunded by half timbered houses with it shady arcades. The remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement were found, but the town reached its peak in the Middle Ages, ruled by the noble family Montpezat. They were accused of Cathar-heresy around 1250 and were replaced by the Prés family. A well known member of them is 1280, Pierre des Prés, born 1280. His parents were anxious that he join the priesthood. He was called (aged 26) to the service of Pope John XXII, who was a native of Cahors. During his lifetime Pierre des Prés held many positions of high office and offered great loyalty to the Pope. He became Vice-Chancellor of the Roman Church and led a distinguished career of over 45 years until he died of the plague in 1361. Being rich and influental Vice-Chancellor he wished to erect a church in the village of his birth and Prés arranged for the construction of the Saint Martin Collegiate Church. It was built in the southern French Gothic style and was consecrated in 1343.

The village of Montpezat-de-Quercy is a bastide in the province of Quercy Blanc. Like the very most of the bastide it was planned around a central market square that is surriunded by half timbered houses with it shady arcades. The remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement were found, but the town reached its peak in the Middle Ages, ruled by the noble family Montpezat. They were accused of Cathar-heresy around 1250 and were replaced by the Prés family. A well known member of them is 1280, Pierre des Prés, born 1280. His parents were anxious that he join the priesthood. He was called (aged 26) to the service of Pope John XXII, who was a native of Cahors. During his lifetime Pierre des Prés held many positions of high office and offered great loyalty to the Pope. He became Vice-Chancellor of the Roman Church and led a distinguished career of over 45 years until he died of the plague in 1361.

The "Château de Bruniquel" consists out of two castles actually, the older castle ("château vieux") and the younger one ("château jeune"). The castle towers in a strategic position, about 80 meters high over the confluence of the rivers Vère and Aveyron. According to Gregory of Tours, the Merovingian Queen Brunehaut (= Brunhilda) built the first castle here in the 6th century. The village is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France".

I love churches in small villages like Montagudet (pop 200). Saint Sulpice, seen here, is not only the parish church. There is the mailbox near the entrance - and further to the right the structure is altered to a residential house. The full (impressive) name of the church is "Église Saint-Sulpice-de-Bourges de Montagudet". Unfortunately it was locked.

A legend tells, that the Abbaye Saint-Pierre was founded by Frankish King Clovis in 506, but historians proved that it was indeed founded founded within the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. It was not easy for the convent. It got attacked by moorish troops twice within the 8th century. A hundred years later the Normans rowed up the Garonne and raided the place. After Hungarian troops had looted and destroyed it finally in the 10th century the monastery got rebuilt. When the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular, the Abbey got affiliated to Cluny and was a major halt on the Via Podensis. This was the golden age for the abbey and the abbots invested in architecture and art. The Romanesque church, consecrated already in 1063, got completely destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The portal, created 1110/1130, survived the times. It is a great piece of Romanesque art. This is a small detail of the tympanum, that refers to the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse is a common theme on tympana along the pilgrim-routes during the 12th century (eg. Morlaas, Conques, Aulnay, Saintes...). The Elders of the Apocalypse, holding their vielles, are masterly carved and very rich in details. They are all focussed on Christ in the center - and sit very relaxed. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

A legend tells, that the Abbaye Saint-Pierre was founded by Frankish King Clovis in 506, but historians proved that it was indeed founded founded within the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. It was not easy for the convent. It got attacked by moorish troops twice within the 8th century. A hundred years later the Normans rowed up the Garonne and raided the place. After Hungarian troops had looted and destroyed it finally in the 10th century the monastery got rebuilt. When the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular, the Abbey got affiliated to Cluny and was a major halt on the Via Podensis. This was the golden age for the abbey and the abbots invested in architecture and art. The Romanesque church, consecrated already in 1063, got completely destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The portal, created 1110/1130, survived the times. It is a great piece of Romanesque art. This is a small detail of the tympanum, that refers to the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse is a common theme on tympana along the pilgrim-routes during the 12th century (eg. Morlaas, Conques, Aulnay, Saintes...). The Elders of the Apocalypse, holding their vielles, are masterly carved and very rich in details. They are all focussed on Christ in the center - and sit very relaxed. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."