In the 18th century, Toulouse became a leading city in the field of law. It also took advantage of its new city planner.
Louis de Mondran designed parks inspired by English painters and philosophers, three of which still exist today - the Boulingrin (or Grand Rond), the Jardin des Plantes, and the Jardin Royal. (I talked about them in previous posts.)
The Cours Dillon, the façade du Capitole (1750-1760), and the Canal de Brienne (1770-1776) were also built during that century.
One major event shook the city in the 1760s. It is still remembered to this day.
One day, Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant living in Toulouse, found his eldest son dead in the family home. Despite the family claiming murder then suicide, rumours quickly spread that the father had killed him. Overwhelming evidence showed that only suicide was possible. Nevertheless, the court in Toulouse would not change its verdict.
Calas was tortured in an attempt to get him to admit that he was guilty. His arms and legs were stretched until they pulled out of their sockets. Thirty pints (more than 17 litres) of water were poured down his throat. He was tied to a cross in the cathedral square where each of his limbs were broken twice by an iron bar. Yet with all this torture he continued to declare his innocence.
On March 9, 1762 the parlement (regional court) of Toulouse sentenced Jean Calas to death on the wheel. On March 10, at the age of 64, he died tortured on the wheel, while still very firmly claiming his innocence.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Doubts about Calas' guilt remained. Voltaire launched a vigorous press campaign that led to his posthumous exoneration in 1765. The Calas family also received monetary compensation.
(The Calas Home still exists. It is located at 50 rue des Filatiers.)
After the French Revolution and the creation of départements in 1790, Toulouse lost some of its power. Rival city Bordeaux got the advantage...
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Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Photos 2-3: Quais de la Daurade and de Tounis.One of the most famous areas in the city. Toulousains love strolling along the Garonne River all year long. It also makes a very good scenic viewing point for tourists.
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Photo 4: A view of Pont Neuf.Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
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Photo 5: Detail of the Statue of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, in Jardin Royal.Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944) wrote several great books. Among them, The Little Prince, a masterpiece of French literature.
But he is also a pioneer in international postal flight. He worked for Aéropostale in Toulouse for a while, covering routes between France, Spain and North Africa.
Saint-Exupéry disappeared in August 1944, during a reconnaissance mission over occupied France. The wreckage of his plane was found 56 years later in the Mediterranean Sea near Marseille.
The statue, created by Sculptor Madeleine Tézenas, was erected in 2000 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Photo 8: Statue of Hippomène by Guillaume Coustou (Jardin des plantes).
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Photo 9: A dovecote in Jardin des Plantes.Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Photos 11-12: Le Retour (The Return) by Auguste Seysses (Jardin des Plantes).
(The same statue is in Musée des Augustins.)
The Jardin des Plantes features many beautiful statues as well as a waterfall and duck pond. Families enjoy going there because it has a nice play area and several carousels.
When I was little, my grandmother and I used to go there every Wednesday afternoon. I have wonderful memories of that garden!
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Buy a print here.
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Original size: 6030 × 4028 pixels
Photo 15: Barges on the Canal du Midi.Buy a print here.
See you next week for part 9! View more photos of my visit to France here.
