Montjoi, Tarn-et-Garonne

Montjoi (French pronunciation: [mɔ̃ʒwa] ⓘ; Occitan: Montjòi) is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region in southern France

Montjoi
Commune
The town hall of Montjoi
The town hall of Montjoi
Coat of arms of Montjoi
Coat of arms
Location of Montjoi
Montjoi is located in France
Montjoi
Montjoi
Montjoi is located in Occitanie
Montjoi
Montjoi
Coordinates: 44°11′51″N 0°55′15″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentTarn-et-Garonne
ArrondissementCastelsarrasin
CantonValence
IntercommunalityDeux Rives
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Christian Eurgal[1]
Area
1
14.67 km2 (5.66 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2020)[2]
167
 • Density11/km2 (29/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
82130 /82400
Elevation80–217 m (262–712 ft)
(avg. 165 m or 541 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The inhabitants are called Montjoviens .

Geography

Situated between the valleys of the Lot and Garonne rivers, Montjoi is an old Bastide village founded in 1256–1257 with half-timbered houses made of Quercy limestone and red brick from the local area, located on a rocky outcrop offering views over the surrounding countryside.

See also

Location

The town is located 16 km north-north-east of Valence-d'Agen, in the Quercy blanc region overlooking the Séoune River. It is near the border with the department of Lot et Garonne.

Hydrography

Monjoi overlooks the valley of the Séoune.

Bordering municipalities
Map of the commune of Montjoi and close communes.

Toponymy

The oldest form is "castri Montis Gaudii in 1255" then Montegaudii in 1272 to become Montis Jovis in 1326, then Montjoye in 1470. Some have seen a compound of the Latin montem (height) and the genitive of gaudium (joy). But in Occitan Montjoi designates a place said to be located on frequented paths.[3]

History

Perched on its rocky peak, a former castrum (Latin for Castle), Montjoi was founded in the 13th century by the Lord of Penne and Alphonse de Poitiers, count of Toulouse, who made it a royal bastide around 1255–1256. In 1287 it was ceded to Edward I of England. In 1337 the Hundred Years' War begins. It ends in 1475 (i.e. 138 years). It passed into the Beauville family in 1348.[4] In 1622 Cardinal Richelieu ordered the destruction of the walls of all bastides.[5]

Politics and administration

The Mayor is Christian Eurgal, elected to a 6-year term in 2020. In 2022, the French royalist writer and YouTuber Papacito made a report on the municipality to denounce an alleged case of corruption and abuse of power between the mayor of Montjoi, and an English resident of the town, and a farmer who breeds woolly pigs.[6]

Demographics

The town had more than 700 inhabitants in the middle of the 18th century but has continued to decline to the present 166 in the commune.[7]

Economy

The area economy is mainly agricultural with mixed farming including cereals, livestock, onions, strawberries, fruits, nuts, etc.[8]

Local culture and heritage

Places and monuments
  • A walkway around the village dominates the surrounding countryside and the Séoune valley, passing through the 14th century ogival entrance door leading to the half-timbered and corbelled houses of the 14th and 15th centuries.
  • The first church in Montjoi was built during the creation of the bastide and dedicated to Notre Dame (Our lady), but was ruined during the Wars of Religion, it disappeared so well that we do not know its exact location. It belonged to the diocese of Cahors but depended on the abbey of Saint-Maurin which had made it one of its priories. The present Saint Martin's Church outside the village walls was rebuilt in the 2nd half of the 15th century. The bell tower and vaulting of the nave was rebuilt between 1857 and 1870, stained glass by Victor Gesta of Toulouse, dated by historical works.[9] The main church is that of Saint Martin de Posicastels; It consists of a choir with 5 sides and a nave of three bays joined by six side chapels. The vault is made of prismatic ribs. The old steeple wall has been replaced by a square tower, built on the north side of the apse which is damped by a spire covered with slates.[10]
  • Lavoir (the wash house) is still there, fed from a natural spring, where the women of the village would bring their clothes to wash. Situated behind the "Salle de Fêtes" just outside the entrance to the village. From the parking area go around the Salle de Fêtes to the right and down the hill along a path to the old lavoir.

Personalities linked to the municipality
  • Pierre Perret came to summer camp in Montjoi in his youth.
  • Jean-Michel Baylet, minister elected municipal councilor for Montjoi from 1995 to 2014.
  • Christian Eurgal, painter, elected mayor of the town in 2014.
  • Guilaume DESSAUX Retired cavalry officer of the imperial order who made 15 campaigns, the last for Napoleon 1st at Waterloo (1714-1843) was born in MONTJOI, a plaque in his memory appears on the house.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Bastide".

References
  1. "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. "Populations légales 2020". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2022.
  3. From the book Toponymie du Tarn et Garonne par Paul BURGAN et André LAFON)
  4. "Montjoi".
  5. "Montjoi".
  6. Willsher, Kim (7 June 2023). "'It's been hell': Briton tells of harassment in French bridle path dispute". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  7. "Montjoi".
  8. "Montjoi".
  9. "Page Erreur 404: Patrimoines.laregion.fr".
  10. "Montjoi".
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