A castle motte, a former castle church and a present-day church building dating from the 19th century give Lanta several historical points of reference. Also notable are its location between the Seillonne and the Saune, the architecture of Saint-Anatoly and the annual Festival BD de Lanta. The landscape, architectural history and cultural event offer different ways to get to know the area.
Location in the Lauragais
Lanta lies in the hills of the Lauragais, on a terrace between the Seillonne to the north and the Saune to the south. The hamlet of Saint-Anatoly is also shaped by its elevated position: from there, you can see the Dagour Valley to the northeast and the Seillonne Valley to the south. The landscape references are therefore clearly distinct: in Lanta, the terrace and the two named rivers take centre stage; in Saint-Anatoly, the views over two valleys. This helps distinguish the descriptions of the two places without combining them into a single route.
A village of Toulouse brick
Lanta is a village of Toulouse brick. In the Middle Ages, it was the suburb of the castrum of Hunaud de Lanta; today, only the castle motte remains. The historical connection thus links the village to a medieval castrum, of which only this site has survived. The Hunaud family's Cathar heritage in Lanta is also connected with the tragedy of Montségur. Alongside its architectural history, these historical links are among the themes that shape Lanta.
Churches and architectural history
Notre-Dame de l’Assomption was Lanta’s former castle church and was first mentioned in 1217. The present-day church of the same name was completed in 1852 under the direction of architect Urbain Vitry. The first mention of the former castle church and the completion of the present-day building mark different stages in the church’s history.
A bell mould discovered during the 1998 excavations is preserved in the church of Saint-Sernin de Sanissac. In Saint-Anatoly, the present-day church as a whole dates predominantly from the 16th century. It is built of brick and has a façade bell tower with three sound openings, typical of the Lauragais. A Way of the Cross ensemble created by Régis Vialaret, consisting of wooden crosses arranged in a square, also runs around the church. The date, building material and bell tower describe the church building; the Way of the Cross ensemble complements it with an artwork in the outdoor space.
History in the village streets
The village’s history can be explored along Rue de la République as far as Place de la Marianne. The street and square give the local history a tangible setting.
A festival as a reason to travel
The Festival BD de Lanta has been running since 2016 and is organised annually by the Lantabulles association. It is an open event for everyone, bringing together national, international and local authors. If you want the festival to determine your travel dates, check the dates for the relevant edition. This lets you plan a stay around a specific event; alternatively, the history of the place itself can be the theme of your trip. When looking for a holiday rental in Lanta, this distinction is a practical starting point: should the dates of a festival determine your stay, or is the focus on the history of the village?
Discover more destinations: Castagnac, Caubous, Gagnac-Sur-Garonne, Mauvaisin, Sajas, Eaunes, Clarac, Renneville.
For the overview of the wider area: Haute-Garonne.
