NOTRE-DAME DU TAUR

Built in the 14th century, the church of Notre-Dame-du-Taur blends into the urban fabric of the rue du Taur, revealing only a brick façade crowned by a two-storey bell tower flanked by polygonal turrets. Its architecture consists of a single three-bay nave extended by a two-bay choir, enriched by side chapels. The whole is covered by rib vaults, with some chapels featuring more elaborate cross and tierceron vaults.

The building owes its name to the martyrdom of Saint Saturnin (Saint Sernin), the first bishop of Toulouse, who was dragged by a bull in the 3rd century. Although tradition places his first burial here, no excavation has confirmed the presence of a former oratory.

Listed as a Historic Monument in 1840, the church underwent major restoration work in the 19th century under the direction of Viollet-le-Duc. This embellishment campaign enriched the building with painted decorations, notably those by Bernard Benezet illustrating the martyrdom of Saint Saturnin and the death of Saint Joseph, as well as stained glass windows created by the Gesta and Chalon workshops. Remains of medieval paintings depicting the genealogy of Jacob also remain.

The church has thus preserved a rich décor combining wall paintings and stained glass, based on Christian themes. A new restoration campaign was launched in 2024 to preserve this emblematic heritage site.