History of the construction of the levees that protect Toulouse from the floods of the Garonne !!! .

Franck BRUGUIERE
3 days ago
8 min read

Aerial view of Toulouse and its river, the Garonne, which the magnificent quays built in the 18th. century during the " siècle des Lumières " . For a long time, Toulouse, lacking protective dikes, experienced numerous devastating floods of the Garonne River.

INTRODUCTION :

Old photography shows that, for heritage reasons and because the bourgeoisie lives in the historic center of Toulouse, bricks dikes about ten meters high had already been built in the 18TH. century. Across the river, however, the district of hospitals, the destitute, prostates, and the sick suffered numerous devastating floods from the Garonne River.

Toulouse and the Garonne share a long history.

However, the river has never been peaceful or calm....

Since Toulouse was not aways protected by levees, it was repeatedly devastated throughout history by destructive floods of its river.

In this post, I'm going to tell you the construction of Toulouse's levees, which protect our city and contribute to its beauty....

A LITTLE HISTORY :

The first era : Toulouse before the levees :

In Toulouse, two worlds have always coexisted throughout history !!! .

The district of the wealthy and the bourgeoisie, which was, of course, the historic heart of our city.

And the other side, the left bank, which was the neighborhood of hospitals, the destitute, prostitutes, the sick, and all those considered undesirable.

Of course, it was only much later that this latter bank was protected from the floods of the Garonne.

This bank has throughout history experienced devastating floods of the GARONNE.

You can still see evidence of this today by looking at the remains of a pier from a medieval bridge called the " Vieux-Pont " , which was connected to the " Saint-Jacques Dieu Hospital ".

But the most devastating flood Toulouse has ever experienced occurred in 1875.

At that time, the " Saint-Cyprien " district, one home to Spanish refugees and located on the left bank of the river, was completely destroyed.

In the end, 208 people died and 1 200 houses were demolished.

A historic flood level of 8,3é meters was recorded at the site of today's " Pont Neuf " in Toulouse.

The second period marks the construction of the first diges protecting Toulouse ' s historic bourgeois district :

In this photo, taken under a magnificent blue sky, we can clearly see the meter high protective dike made of terracotta bricks, built in the 18th. century to protect the bourgeois historic center of Toulouse.

For obvious heritage reasons, it was not until the Enlightenment era, in the 18th. century, that magnificent dikes were built to protect the historic center of Toulouse from the river's floods.

The project was designed by " Joseph-Marie Saget " and was adopted in 1776. A brick wall about ten meters high was built.

Trees were planted along the roadway, lining the entire length of the quays.

Toady, this gives the area a great sense of elegance !!! .

Interrupted by the French Revolution, the project remained unfinished.

However, the magic truly happens on a beautiful summer evening, when the setting sun bathes the terracotta brick façades along the quays in warm light !!! .

The construction of the dikes to protect the left-bank of the Garonne :

It was not until 1906 that Toulouse municipality decided to remove the hospitals from the district.

The initial goal was to widen the riverbed in order to better protect this bank from flooding.

It was only during the 19th. and 20th. centuries that the dikes were built ti shield the residents of the river's left bank.

Today, approximately 16km of dikes protect Toulouse from the floods of the Garonne River!.

THE QUAYS OF TOULOUSE :

The "Quai Lombard" from the Place Saint-Pierre to the Port de la Dauarde :

Photograph showing the magnificent quay built in the 18TH. century in Toulouse to protect the city's historic center, known as " Quais Lombard" . One can admire the beautiful alignement of trees and buildings that gives all its charm of these quays of Toulouse, the Pink City.

Many historic and magnificent buildings can be seen along this quay :

Many buildings feature unique and beautiful wooden loggias at their tops :

Photo showing one of the must see curiosities on the banks of the Garonne in Toulouse, featuring buildings with typically Toulouse architecture topped with loggias supported by wooden columns dating from the 19th. century. This is quite unusual and makes the quays of Toulouse truly splendid !!! .

Dating back to 1830, these wooden structures, supported by Doric-style columns, resemble handing balconies.

In fact, they are 19th-century classical-style loggias.

However, their timeless elegance preserves the spirit of the 19th. century quays !!! .

The smallest street in Toulouse dating back to the Middle Ages : " La rue Étroite " :

Photo showing a medieval street, the narrowest in Toulouse at the only 2,5à meters wide. It is called " Rue Étroite" and has withhold the development of the Garonne quays that took place in the 18th. century.

It is only 2,50 meters wide, and you can't miss it with its old building façade wide open.

It was in 19th. century that it received its current name.

The street was spared from the grand dike project imagined by " Saget " in the 18th. century.

This little street feels like a reconciliation between two worlds that have always coexisted in Toulouse : The medieval city with it commercial and industrial streets, and the magnificent " Quais Lombard ", with its splendid row of bourgeois buildings !!! .

The Quai de la Daurade, from Place de la Daurade to Pont neuf :

Photo showing the magnificent quay, with a splendid alignment of trees and city monuments in Toulouse. These quays contribute to the magic and beauty of the Pink city !!! .

Place de la Daurade :

It's a lively and welcoming space that connects the quayside to the river port !!! .

Throughout the year, many events are held here.

But there are also places and experiences I highly recommend you try when visiting this spot.

Have a drink at the " Café des artistes " located at the top of the quays on Place de la Daurade :

Café of Toulouse located on the city's quays and considered an institution? It is situated on the rogue floor of a building dating back to the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the visible timber framing on its g-façade. If you visit Toulouse , be sure to enjoy a drink on this beautiful terrace, which offers one of th best views of the city.

This Café has been a fixture on the square for many years.

It offers one of the most beautiful views of the city's left bank.

Take the time to sit on its pleasant terrace at any time of the ady, though it's especially lovely in the evening at sunset !!! .

Have a drink at the Guinguette " Du Pêcheur de sable " located down by the river port :

Photo showing the lower part of the quays of Toulouse, near Place de la Daurade, where you'll find a charming " Guinguette " rich of history, offering drinks and fast food. There is also a playground of children in this area.

It is rich in history, with its neoclassical pedimented façade.

In the past, the site was occupied by boatmen, sand fishermen, and washerwomen.

Today, those times are long gone.

At this very spot, you'll now find a charming little riverside Café.

You can enjoy a drink or a quick bite to eat while taking advantage of the various amenities along the banks of the Garonne !!! .

The departure point for Toulouse's boats, offering an unforgettable cruise along the Garonne :

Photo taken under a beautiful blue sky at the old river port of Toulouse, located in the lower part of the quays near the Place de la Daurade, where cruises depart on the Garonne or the Canal de Midi.

It's well known that discovering a city from its river offers a unique and fascinating perspective.

It's not an exception in Toulouse.....

That's why I recommend boarding one of the cruises on the Garonne or the Canal du Midi, which depart from this very spot...an unforgettable experience !!! .

Daurade church :

Photo of the Church of " La Daurade " located on the quays of Toulouse, inviting us into an atmosphere reminiscent of Ancient Greece. Indeed, ts pediment and withe stone columns are quite atypical on these quays, where most buildings are made of the terracotta bricks typical of Toulouse. Inside, you can discover a very rear Black Madonna.

The church was built on the remains of a former Roman temple dedicated to Apollo, dating back to the 5th. century.

It was demolished in 1761 to make way for the development to the Garonne quays.

It was rebuilt in 1764 and more recently renovated between 2017 and 2019.

The church is a most-see, known for is mural paintings and its Black Madonna !!! .

To learn more, check out the post on the four must-see churches in Toulouse .

The mansions and their neoclassical façades on the Place de la Daurade :

These mansions, located at numbers 4 and 6 of Place de la Daurade, date to 1760/1779 and are built in the neoclassical style.

The façades are built in the neoclassical style.

The façades are symmetrical, featuring wrought-iron balconies and decorative friezes.

On Quai de la Daurade stands the magnificent Toulouse School of Fine Arts :

This magnificent white stone sculpted façade of this iconic Toulouse building is none other than the School of Fine Art of our city, located on the banks of the Garonne. It stands out, as most of the other buildings are made of terracotta bricks in the typical architecture style of Toulouse. If you ever stroll along the quays of Toulouse, be sure stop and admire this splendid façade.

This magnificent white-stone building was constructed in 1885.

It stands out sharply against the traditional Toulouse pink brick that dominates the quayside architecture !!! .

On its façade, you can see four majestic and monumental statues by " Pierre Esquié " .

They represent : Painting, sculpture, engraving, and architecture.

This iconic and remarkable building of our city covers an area of 10 000 square meters.

The Brasserie des Beaux-Arts :

Buildings with typically Toulouse architecture-, located on the quays of Toulouse, housing the first Parisian Brasserie to open in the Pink City. If you ever come to Toulouse, I recommend enjoying gourmet cuisine in a beautifully decorated interior, completed with a lovely terrace offering a fine view of the Garonne River.

Located on the first section of the Quai de la Daurade, it was the first Parisian brasserie to open in Toulouse.

The building was constructed between 1765 and 1777, as the same time as the development of the Garonne quays by " Saget " .

It is built in the neoclassical style with terracotta bricks, typical of our city's architecture.

I highly recommend this gourmet brasserie , which offers a truly remarkable interior decor and an outdoor terrace.

CONCLUSION :

If you cime to Toulouse, don't hesitate to rent a bike and explore the quays of the Garonne.

It's very pleasant, especially since 2013 when a dedicated bike lane separated from car traffic was created.

Alternatively, you can choose a ride on a Toulouse riverboat to discover the Pink City from the River....magical !!! .

Welcome in Toulouse.

The blog from Toulouse.

Best regard , Franck .

BONUS VIDEO : THE NARROWEST STREET IN TOULOUSE DATING ON THE MIDDLE AGES :

Video showing the narrowest street in Toulouse only 2,50 meters wide, dating from the Middle Ages and located on the banks of the Garonne in Toulouse.

BONUS VIDEO OF THE SCHOLL OF FINE ARTS OF TOULOUSE ON THE QUAYS OF THE GARONNE RIVER :

Video showing the magnificent sculpted façade with four statues of the Toulouse School Of Fine Arts, located on the banks of the Garonne , a landmark building of the Pink City not to be missed !!! .

BONUS VIDEO SHOWING THE LOWER PART? WHICH IS THE OLD RIVER PORT OF TOULOUSE LOCATED ONN THE BANKS OF THE GARONNE :

Video showing the upper and lower parts of the Garonne quays in Toulouse . The lower part was the old river port, where you'll find a guinguette with a period sculpted stone pediment, a children's playground, and the departure point for Toulouse river cruises.

BONUS PHOTOS SHOWING THE OLD DOORS THAT YOU CAN OBSERVE ON THE QUAYS OF TOULOUSE :