Art Deco in Moissac
Moissac, renowned for its majestic UNESCO-listed abbey and cloister, hides a lesser-known but equally fascinating facet at its heart: its Art Deco architecture. This architectural universe, marked by the 1930s, was born of an event that turned the town upside down.
Explore Art Deco in Moissac: a journey through time
Imagine the night of 3 to 4 March 1930: torrential rain swells the waters of the Tarn. A dyke gave way, and in a matter of moments, 9-metre waves came crashing down, engulfing the mud and terracotta houses. The toll was devastating: 80% of the town under water, 120 dead, 600 houses destroyed. Moissac, the fruit capital, was a field of ruins.
But this tragedy became an outpouring of solidarity. The whole of France, as far away as Morocco, joined forces torebuild the town, and aid poured in. Architects from Toulouse were mobilised, bringing with them the style in vogue at the time: Art Deco.
Today, several of Moissac's districts are alive with this heritage, with around a hundred buildings magnificently renovated in this modern, elegant style. A stroll through these districts becomes an immersion in the shapes, clean lines and innovative materials such as metal and reinforced concrete that tell the story of an era and a way of life.
Moissac's emblematic Art Deco districts
- The Sainte Blanche district, with its luminous Art Deco buildings.
- The Moroccan district, a name that pays tribute to donors from across the Mediterranean.
- The Quais du Canal, where the architecture captures the dynamism of the 1930s.
Even the street names tell the story: Rue de l'Inondation, Rue des Donateurs, Rue de la Solidarité, recalling the scale of the disaster and the drive to rebuild.
The Art Deco route in Moissac
Every step of the way, Moissac reveals a vibrant and inspired Art Deco, where every detail - rounded windows, ironwork, modern materials - bears witness to the rebuilding of this town like a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Highlights of the Art Deco itinerary :
The Faubourg Sainte Blanche
Here, striking buildings rise up, combining wrought iron and geometric motifs. The first building shines in dazzling white, decorated with delicate ironwork. The second features stylised white roses, emblematic of a more subtle, floral Art Deco style.
The Hall de Paris
On the Place des Récollets, a hall where Moissac grapes were once celebrated. Built thanks to donations from the city of Paris, this local brick building, adorned with columns and large bay windows, evokes both strength and modernity.
Originally, the Hall de Paris was an essential market for Chasselas producers. Today, it has been transformed into a concert hall. Today, the market is held in the covered market hall next door, a small building dating from the end of the 19th century, and takes place on the Place des Récollets every Saturday and Sunday morning. Come and discover this emblematic place and immerse yourself in the history and culture of Moissac.
12, rue de l'inondation
Here, the bow windows create a vibrant, rhythmic relief. The rounded pediments and portholes are inspired by the great transatlantic liners.
Le Silo de Moissac - On the Quai Charles de Gaulle, an imposing 20-metre-high structure stands alongside the Canal Des Deux Mers, witness to the boom in river transport. Today, it is used as a secondary silo for a local agricultural cooperative.
The Uvarium kiosk
This elegant rotunda offers an uninterrupted view of the Tarn.
The Uvarium kiosk was built in 1933 by architect Thilliet and decorated by painter Domergue Lagarde. The building retains the Art Deco spirit, with its rounded shape, metal framework and frescoes.
The Moulin de Moissac was a luxury hotel that provided accommodation for spa visitors, and the Uvarium was a tasting room for the famous Chasselas grape. Today, only these two monuments bear witness to the fashion for uviral cures in Moissac, which unfortunately soon ran out of steam.
The word "Uvarium" is linked to the terms "uva" and "uvale", meaning "grape".
André Abbal's war memorial
At 1 Avenue de l'Uvarium, this sculpture carved in stone without any prior sketch is the work of the man known as "the apostle of direct carving". Originally erected near the abbey, it now stands in a quiet spot on the banks of the Tarn, a reminder of the courage of those who fell in the First World War.
