Montbrun-Bocage

The market of Montbrun is very cozy and cozy. every Sunday with local organic products, music and artists. The market has a high hippie content and is highly recommended. Also in combination with a visit to Mas d'Azil 

Montbrun-Bocage is beautifully situated in the shadow of the remains of the high château-fort. This castle, which is built on a hill, is already mentioned in 1272. In the Middle Ages Montbrun was a defensible city, but there is little more to remind of the fact that this old village is the remnant of an original "bastide". The streets that cut through the village are still the old main routes. For example, la rue Droit was the old connection between two ports. In addition to the restored hall, there is still a few more preserved in the village that is worthwhile. The houses in the rue des Moines still represent the image of the sixteenth/seventh century. Especially the well restored house "des Moines" reflects the character of the construction of that time. Of the old abbey, only the garden can still be found. Furthermore, many small things still remind of that former abbey and of the monks.

There are still old dovecotes in Montbrun, which have been elevated to a monument historique. The Hôtel de ville dates from the fifteenth/sixteenth century. In the Middle Ages, most of the territory of Montbrun fell under the abbot of mas d'Azil. As early as 1065, this abbot was granted dominion by the Count of Foix.

Under the influence of the Benedictines, the community developed. They degrew and expanded in a turbulent expansion, the population also increased. The result was an explosive expansion of religious buildings. Of these many buildings, built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, only a little remains. The origin of the church of Montbrun is unknown. As in the entire area, the church of Montbrun has also suffered from looting and destruction during the Hundred Years' War. Occasional restoration took place, but in 1569, during the religious war, the church was destroyed again. The church of Montbrun was part of the dioceses of Toulouse and Pamiers until the thirteenth century. From 1318 until the Revolution, the church and the diocese of Rieux fell. This reman church (classée monument historique) has been restored three times. The first restorations were in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. During the last restoration, which was recently completed, an attempt was made to restore the church to its original state as much as possible. It is suspected that the Romanesque bell wall is still from the tenth century. It is a beautiful version with tilting and in three windows there are still clocks. A clock dates from 1594. In 1965, murals were discovered in the church. It is advisable to watch them carefully, because some performances are really very special.

the castle

Little is known about the original castle. It is said that knight Roeland once rested there from the violence of war. The oldest records tell that Arnaud of Spain was the Lord of Montbrun and Montbéraud in 1261, so history certainly goes that far back. Since then, the chateau has been through a lot and was regularly involved in battles of various kinds The castle has been part of the property of several families. It was last inhabited at the end of the nineteenth century. The very dilapidated state of the castle at the moment, is regrettable.

The priest's fountain.

The source can be found at the place where along the D74 facilities have been made by les services the 1'Equipement of Montesquieu-Volvestre. Where one can rest, or even pick-nick extensively. A barbecue, tables and seating are available there. The spring itself is located along the stream in the far north, a staircase leads there to. This source was discovered and used in the last century. Father Cailleau, who worked in the parish of Montbrun for more than forty years, discovered the source. Useful water for the village had long been sought, at the beginning of this century still, for the inhabitants of the neighboring farms. Water has always been scarce in Montbrun so this modest source was for the residents very welcome. The priests celebrated a mass at the time, so that the well would not dry out. Decades later it was still being talked about in the village. Noire-Dame de MONTAUT; a sacred chapel built on a hill, the origin of which remains shrouded in mist. Throughout history, this chapel has been important for the religious experience of the population. This chapel is included in one of the marked walks.

From Montbrun, five marked hiking trails have been set out. A French route description and possibly more information can be found at "Maison de Montbnun" on the Place du Champ de Mars. (probably a Dutch edition will be available) The market of Montbrun is very cozy and cozy. Every Sunday with produits artisanaux et d'artistes.