In September 1842, discovering Saint-Antonin Nobleval, Viollet-le-Duc exclaimed "But we are in a museum! "so much it is true that the city located at the confluence of the Aveyron and Bonnette rivers offers a very rich history and heritage at the bend of its narrow streets with very evocative names...
It is today labelled "Grand site d'Occitanie" (Great site of Occitania).
A bit of History
First called Condat (confluence) in Celtic times, then Nobilis Valis in Roman times, the city took its current name when Antonin, who came to evangelize the Ruthenes at the beginning of the Christian era, was martyred in Pamiers. His remains then returned to Condat in a boat pulled by two eagles. The Abbey of Saint-Antonin was built there in the 8th century. The town later developed around this abbey and took the same name.
The town was assigned during the Crusade against the Albigensians and was partly destroyed. Amaury and his brother Guy de Montfort, son of Simon de Montfort, inherited the city on his death, which they later ceded to the King of France Louis VIII in 1226. The latter accepted, and the following year, Louis IX confirmed his protection of Saint-Antonin, which became the Royal City and reached its peak. Trade was flourishing with Germany, Italy, England and Holland...
Saint-Antonin Nobleval was then occupied several times by the English during the Hundred Years' War, and later experienced the torments of the civil war between Catholics and Protestants.
A rich heritage
During your visit to Saint-Antonin Nobleval, don't miss the Maison Romane, currently the municipal museum, the oldest civil monument in France, built in 1125 for the viscount's viguier of the town.
This house became in 1313 the house of the Consuls and the seat of the municipality until the Revolution.
Also worth seeing, the Convent of the Genovefains, built in the 18th century. Formerly the "Maison des Chanoines" (Canons' House) located in the centre of the town, this "majestic building, whose pure and clear lines of the 18th century astonish a little in the heart of a medieval village, is today called the Convent of the Genovefains".
The old tanneries are still visible, the last one ceasing its activity in 1925.
The town had up to 9 tanneries and 2 mills, including the wheat mill in Bessarel.
Also worth seeing is the new oven, one of the last common ovens on the eponymous square. From the 12th century to the end of the 18th century, 8 ovens baked bread, the essential food of the time.
In 1956, the walnut oil mill, which already existed in the 14th century, ceased to function. It will become the property of the commune in 1972 and still works twice a year during the day of the mills in June as well as on the day of the threshing, the first Sunday of August.
Saint-Antonin also has an old bridge dating from 1163. This bridge, linking 3 provinces, Rouergue, Quercy, Albigeois, allowed the Saint-Antoninois to get rich thanks to the toll and to develop the export of their productions (woollen sheets, leathers, plums, saffron, wine...).
One cannot forget the bathing establishment built in 1913 but that the floods of 1930, polluting the spring, will sign the stop.
Saint-Antonin Nobleval town hall
Place de la Mairie
82140 Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
Tel. 05 63 30 60 23
Fax : 05 63 30 60 54