Moissac is a town 40 kilometres east of Agen, on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. The main reason people visit Moissac is for the world famous cloister and porch.
Explore Moissac
France This Way review: Moissac is a pleasant if unremarkable town on the banks of the Tarn river that would perhaps go largely unremarked if it were not for the famous abbey and cloisters that are in the historic centre of the town.
Unfortunately much of the town was destroyed by terrible floods in 1930 although the abbey was untouched by the flooding.
Despite this, a visit should allow time to explore the town itself. The Moissac tourist office suggests three circuits to follow and these are perhaps the best way to explore and discover the hidden treasures:
- Route 1 explores the historical religious centre (see below);
- Route 2 follows along the Tarn River;
- Route 3 centres on the west of the town and the parkland around the Carmelite Convent, where the GR65 national pathway passes by the town.
Visit Moissac Tourist Office next to the cloisters for detailed information of each route.
Moissac abbey and cloisters
The Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre in Moissac dates in part (the entrance and the roman-style cloisters) from the early 12th century and it is these two features that are of most interest to visitors.
Reputed to be one of the most beautiful cloisters in the world, there are 76 marble columns (alternating single and double columns) and a myriad of fine carvings on the capital stones, surrounding a pretty courtyard garden.
Old pictures exhibited here suggest that the garden was once an ornate tropical garden, although it is now simply laid to grass.
These remarkable cloisters later acted as a model for hundreds of churches elsewhere.
The porch and entrance to the church are also impressive with intricate carvings portraying Christ and the Elders of the Apocalypse. This roman style entrance also acted as a model for many doors found elsewhere.
Inside, the entire church is decoratively painted. Within the church there are several items of interest including the sculpture of the 'flight from Egypt' and the 'mise au tombeau', both dating from the 15th century.
There is an open square lined with cafes just in front of the abbey entrance in Moissac where you can enjoy a drink while the children try to decipher the carvings around the church doorway!
Other things of interest in Moissac
The town also contains an interesting Centre of Romanesque Art.
Moissac sits on the north bank of the Tarn river, a beautiful stretch of river where an annual jazz festival is held.
Attractions nearby
Among the many villages and market towns to explore in the quiet farmland and vineyards of the surrounding countryside we particularly recommend that you find time to visit Auvillar, a historic village with an unusual round market hall about 15 kilometres south-west of Moissac.
The villages of Valence-d'Agen (to the west) and Lauzerte (to the north) are also recommended.
You can find more travel ideas in the Tarn-et-Garonne guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Moissac
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Map of Moissac and places nearby
Visit near Moissac with France This Way reviews
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Address: Moissac, Castelsarrasin, Midi-Pyrenees, 82200, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.104, longitude 1.0849
Plan your visit to Moissac, Tarn-et-Garonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Moissac abbatiale St Pierre (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site
- Auvillar: most beautiful village (15 km)
- Lauzerte: most beautiful village (17 km)
- Jardin du Pèlerin: remarkable garden (18 km)
- Abbaye de Saint Maurin (Saint-Maurin): religious monument (19 km)
- Montauban: secteur sauvegarde (24 km)
- Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lacour): religious monument (24 km)
- Eglise Notre Dame (Frespech): religious monument (31 km)
- Gramont Chateau: national monument (32 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Layrac): religious monument (34 km)
- Prieuré de Sainte Marie (Moirax): religious monument (38 km)
- Agen cathédrale St Caprais (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (39 km)
Market days in Moissac, France
Regular market(s) are held in Moissac each Sunday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Moissac (Francais)