The Grand Jardin de Tour de Ville garden is a vast landscape feature that joins in harmony the city of Montauban and the Tarn River. In one single stretch, this densely wooded swath of nature links together the city’s key and iconic spaces and places, firmly rooting them in their geographic and historical context. At region scale, the legibility of the Grand Jardin garden forms the foundation for a new, territory-wide, cohesive framework. At city scale, the garden’s uninterrupted greenery creates a unifying space, rife with countless new uses for the city of Montauban.

This clear and recognizable landscape connects the historic city center to the waterway, reviving the riverbanks and riverscape through pathways, vantage points, and park infrastructure. The three major areas of the garden are transformed: where once there were simply places for passing through or pausing, now there are true public spaces and destinations. New, medium-sized trees of many species are planted in each area, creating a second canopy layer that expands tree cover. At ground level, beige natural stone used throughout the garden brings visual harmony to the different spaces. This surfacing differentiates the garden from the historic city center (the bastide) with its distinctive brick constructions – the inspiration behind the Montauban nickname, “la Plus Rose des Villes Roses” or “the Reddest of Red Cities.”

The Socle de la Ville area is lower than the city, located between the ramparts and the Tarn River. Here, the brick walls, full of history, stand in stark contrast to the green of the water and riverbanks. The existing environment is preserved, uncovered, and enhanced. New plantings form a vast and highly adaptable network of beautified landscapes, perfectly in tune with user needs. Confluence Park, facing the river, is a large, open, and easily accessible space that sits at the confluence of the Tarn and the Tescou. Beneath the canopy of existing plane trees, new, greened softscape creates a breathtaking destination with panoramic views of the Tarn and its sprawling surroundings. This adaptable park embodies the guiding principle behind our approach: “Create without undoing.” A promenade winds along the riverbanks from north to south, connecting key places in the city (the Confluence, the Musée Ingres museum, and the botanical garden). Restoring a robust riparian zone using adaptive management practices boosts biodiversity while showcasing the sweeping vistas. New, lightweight docks are perfect for enjoying the river and taking in the scenic views of the Tarn and the vast surrounding landscape.

The Street Park along Rue de la Mandoune street connects the Tarn riverbanks to the historic city. Adding planted irrigation trenches and expanding the uniform rows of trees enhances and bolsters existing tree cover, all while blending seamlessly with the road network. The dense greenery connects public spaces with traffic flow (streets, parking lots, bike lanes, pedestrian promenades, etc.).

The Esplanade des Fontaines esplanade sits on the doorstep of the city center. A pergola brings together the esplanade, making it possible for users to experience this public space at any time of day. A garden of vines and climbing plants frames the esplanade. At its center, reflecting pools are a playful nod to Montauban’s reputation as a city of fountains. A tree-lined walkway extends the existing greenery while shading the lawns.