Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption de Montgeard

About

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Montgeard is the church of the village of Montgeard (Haute-Garonne), part of the parish complex of Villefranche-de-Lauragais. Built largely between 1522 and 1561, at the time of the peak of pastel culture in Lauragais, it benefited from important donations from local families enriched by this trade. In this it belongs to the typology of "pastel churches" and bears witness to the golden age that became known in the "land of cocagne" during the Renaissance.

Funeral scene designed to house the graves of the main families of pastoral merchants in the area, the church was to celebrate in particular the ascension of the most powerful of them, the Durands, who at the same time became lords of Montgeard. Following the southern Gothic style, the building surprises by the contrast between its very stripped exterior and defensive appearance and the richness of its interior decoration, especially carved. Its 19th-century painted vault, imitation of that of the Cathedral of St.

Cécile of Albi, earned it its nickname of "Petit Albi". The church of Montgeard has largely preserved its very rich decoration, especially that dating back to...