Visit Montréjeau, a royal bastide in the Pyrenees

What to do in Montréjeau?

Are you passing through for a day or staying for a while? Between the Montréjeau lake, ideal for relaxation, and walks in the heart of nature, the setting is soothing. Its heritage, such as the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, tells a rich story. This village in the Pyrenean foothills, bordered by the Garonne, has many surprises in store…

THE ROYAL BASTIDE OF MONTRÉJEAU

Founded in the 13th century, Montréjeau is one of more than 350 bastides, those “new towns” built during the Middle Ages in the South-West. Whatever your route, the remains of the first constructions you see here and there will plunge you into the history of urban planning of the time that initiated the bastides, those architectural plans of the Middle Ages.
Visit Montréjeau with the family: all year round, self-guided tour with a trail for children.

Did you know?
Mikoshi : unique in Europe, it is a symbol of friendship offered by a village in the Japanese region of Tôhoku that the municipality helped after the 2011 tsunami. The mikoshi is presented to the public during festivals.

PANORAMA OF THE PYRENEES RANGE

Montréjeau offers you beautiful viewpoints over the Pyrenees mountain range

In the town center, use the orientation table to spot the peaks: Mon Sacon, Mont Aspet, Nez de Napoléon…
From Montréjeau lake, the view is different, the peaks are reflected in the water. An ideal setting to stop for a nap in the grass or a picnic by the water!

VALMIRANDE ESTATE

The park is splendid! Our eyes are drawn to the sky to contemplate these immense trees. 41 hectares rich with an arboretum of 180 tree species. Long-awaited, the castle stands before us, a white stone building built facing the Pyrenees. It is aptly named Valmirande, “the view that amazes me”! We understand that Baron Bertrand De Lassus, who created this magical place, was a lover of the Pyrenees!
A Pyreneist at heart, his first ascent was Mount Sacon, a modest hill overlooking Montréjeau. Later, he would travel the Pyrenees in every direction.
The marble stables are counted among the most beautiful in France. In the tack room, the smell of leather plunges us back into history. The decorated chapel is a great story in itself, perhaps the most beautiful!
This bucolic stroll through the park makes us dream.
Guided tour of the park, stables, and chapel (private property). More info

Dardenne chocolate factory

Chocolate lovers, here is your paradise!

Ludovic Dardenne had a wonderful profession: pharmacist-chocolatier! The combination of these two expertises allowed him to design chocolates that are perfectly reasonable to succumb to. And if you need other arguments to give in to temptation with peace of mind, here are two pieces of information that will finish convincing you: the century-old company is certified as a Living Heritage Company and it only produces ethical and organic chocolates. Now that your conscience is clear, time for pleasure! Get ready for spreads, bars, and chocolate fountains!

Visit the museum and tea room, more info. Read the article: Exceptional artisanal craftsmanship

stroll along the banks of the garonne

This famous French river has its source on the Spanish side in the Val d’Aran, with waters disappearing into the Trou du Toro.
In its upper part, upstream from Toulouse, its flow depends on snow cover and snowmelt, and in its lower part, it has a rain-fed supply due to its main tributaries.

Take a seat by the Garonne and observe its pure, clear water:
📍 Stone bridge over the Garonne towards Gourdan-Polignan – picnic area
📍 Footbridge between Montréjeau and Gourdan-Polignan (pedestrian access, bike carrying in stairs area)
📍 Walk along the Garonne (from the picnic area towards the lake footbridge)

MONTRÉJEAU LAKE LEISURE CENTER

Swimming allowed and supervised at Montréjeau lake in July and August.
Aquapark, paddleboarding, and pedal boats
Playgrounds (swings, slide, zip line…)
Walk around the lake of Montréjeau 2.8km (walking path. Not accessible for strollers).
Orienteering course
Nature and biodiversity: interpretation trail for fauna and flora
Dining and accommodation on site.

SPORTS AND LEISURE IN MONTRÉJEAU

🥾 Hiking
• Tour of Montréjeau lake on foot (2.7km)
• GR86. From Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Luchon via Montréjeau. 19 days/ 279.1 km / Elevation gain: 6737 m.
• Walks in Montréjeau and its surroundings. RANDO COMMINGES app (App Store and Android) or hiking section

Our discovery route idea: While some enjoy the lake and its many activities, others can slip away to explore the surroundings!
From Montréjeau lake, cross the bridge towards Gourdan then just on the left, follow the banks of the Garonne. Return possible through Montréjeau town center. About 7km.

🚲 Cycling
• Cycling routes. RANDO COMMINGES app (App Store and Android)
• Mountain bike trails
• Cycle path

Our bike getaway idea

Connect Montréjeau to Saint-Bertrand via the cycle path. 20 kilometers round trip.
1-From Montréjeau take the cycle path towards the Pyrenees.
2-Take a break and visit one of the most beautiful villages in France at Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges and its imposing cathedral.
3-On the way back down, a picnic break awaits you near the Basilica of Saint-Just de Valcabrère, enjoying the picnic table and a superb view of the village of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges.
4-Back in Montréjeau, you’ll have well-earned a dip in the lake (supervised swimming all summer and leisure center).
See the full itinerary

🎣 Fishing
• Lake fishing in Montréjeau, 2nd category: lakes with predators and whitefish.
• River fishing. Practical info and regulations.
• Children’s course: Montréjeau leisure center
• Fly fishing instructor: Alexandre RODRIGUES

🏌️ Golf for all ages
• Golf du Comminges: enjoy the pleasures of golf in the heart of nature (9 holes). For children: €2 per bucket of balls.

Taste local specialties

Le Napoléon, local cheese
After 10 months of care under its brown rind typical of the Pyrenees, what we call Napoléon takes on its full flavor and generous taste.
Different from others due to its creamy texture and generous taste, Le Napoléon Commingeois is a Pyrenean with a tender heart.
Indeed, even when aged, tradition dictates that this sheep’s milk cheese remains very supple.
As for its rather unexpected name for a cheese, it owes it to the “Penne – Haute” mountain, better known as the “Nez de Napoléon” (Napoleon’s Nose) because of its shape, which sits opposite our cellars.
Like a true Pyrenean shepherd, Mother Nature planted this silhouette for us as the guardian of our terroir.
📍 Fromagers du Mont Royal. Dominique Bouchait, Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Montréjeau market on Monday mornings

Millasson, local specialty
A specialty of Montréjeau. This type of baked flan flavored with orange blossom is made of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, yeast, milk, rum, or vanilla for those who don’t like alcohol, and lemon zest.
📍Subervielle Bakery

Local Montréjeau market every Monday morning
📍 under the market hall and in the town center

Arts and crafts: expertise & traditions

Vitraux du mont royal – Members of the Occitanie Arts and Crafts Route
Listed in the Official Directory of Arts and Crafts of France, Maryline Delois & François Grijalva work to safeguard the stained-glass heritage of churches in Midi-Pyrénées, especially in Comminges, and enchant your home with vibrant colors.
Demonstration of expertise and workshop visit.

Lacemaking
Passionate Mireille Ferrero learned bobbin lace about thirty years ago. She has stayed in Puy-en-Velay, Valenciennes, Spain, Malta, and the Czech Republic. She was captivated by Czech lace because it is modern and imaginative. Mireille holds a Brevet des Métiers d’Art.