Since mid-July, the parks and gardens of Montauban, in the Tarn-et-Garonne, have been open 24 hours a day and above all, after more than a year of work, a water mirror has been installed on the Place Nationale , emblematic place of the city. The misters, the water jets are active from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. to refresh the air but also the tourists and the inhabitants.
Tourists happy to cool off, locals wary
The various travelers met on this place by France Bleu Occitanie say they are delighted with this space. Some do not hesitate to put their feet in the water, like Jack, from the Netherlands, who, in English, says he is happy and conquered. Suzanne de Lyon, smiling, watches the children lie down in the water “without risk of drowning. It’s a swimming pool without being a swimming pool”. Laurence, originally from Bordeaux, she considers that it’s still less beautiful, less impressive than in her city and wonders if hygiene is respected, but quickly she lets go with a smile: “It’s still not bad at all!”
If the children are all over the moon, smiles on their lips, sometimes even lying in the water, many adults from Montalban are more circumspect. Anne “ask to see how it will live out of season”. She also regrets not being able to cross the square as she used to. Jean-Claude, who has lived in the city of Ingres for 50 years, would have liked the market (which had been gradually moved) to remain there; “he was a sympathetic rural spirit”. The town hall says for its part that it wants to promote “elegance and sobriety”thanks to a charter for the occupation of the Place Nationale, adopted at the end of May 2022 by the City Council. She has left six months to traders to harmonize furniture (chairs and tables) in compliance with this charter. The City has made parasols available by investing 254.000 euros.
Prohibitions under penalty of fine
Access to this water mirror was regulated by a decree of July 18th. It is forbidden to wear a bathing suit, play ball, to wear shoes in the water. Also prohibits any vehicle from parking or animals from walking on the floor, even on a leash. These instructions are posted on the four corners of the square and those who do not respect them risk a fine of 150 euros.
“Too many restrictions kill restrictions.” – Khaled, Montalbanais reprimanded by the municipal police because his 18-month-old daughter bathed naked in the water mirror
That said, the municipal police seem for the moment quite understanding. Khaled, a Montalbanais, who has already come several times with his children tells France Bleu Occitanie: “We were reprimanded because our little one and a half year old was naked. The police told us that it was not possible because it is a classified site. You have to have a fair measure, if there’s water it’s for cooling off. Too many restrictions kill restrictions.” Indeed, the covered areas, that is to say the sheltered passages that go around the square, have been classified as Historic Monuments since 1910.
– Clémence Fulleda
A place full of history(s)
This Place Nationale is also a historic setting for Montauban. Joséphine Ravier, guide for eight years for the Tourist Office, usually ends her visits for groups here. She passionately explains to visitors the changes over the centuries : “This square has existed since the founding of the city (in 1144 editor’s note). This is where the markets took place and we had three very famous fairs a year. There were exceptional products such as Aleppo silk. In the 17th century, two fires destroyed wooden houses. They are rebuilt in bricks and the cutlery is vaulted. We had the drapers in the South cover; Western covered hooves; in the North the wheat and in the East the fruits. Place Nationale was also whitewashed. “It was in 1808 to welcome Napoleon who had just created the department of Tarn-et-Garonne; but he only stayed 24 hours”.
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