Visiting Marmande

The town of Marmande was a bastide founded around 1195 developed on the site of a more ancient town built by Richard Coeur de Lion. As the towns position was on the banks of the Garonne it made it an important place of toll and soon passed into the hands of the Counts of Toulouse.
The town itself has significant historical importance and was besieged three times and taken during the Albigensian Crusade. Its capture was by Amaury de Montfort in 1219 who then turned to massacre the inhabitants. Further historical events include an occupation by the English in 1447 and resistance to Wellington’s army in 1814.
Although there is a rich history to the town the most notable building is the church of Notre-Dame which dates from the 13th century. There is also a market held in the centre and regular local events.