The town played a part in the inaugural Tour thanks to local rider Henri Gauban, who participated every year between 1903 and 1907 but never finished the race. In fact, he was disqualified in 1906 for taking the train between Nancy and Dijon with a few fellow riders. The Van Schendel brothers adopted Muret as their home and achieved far greater success. Dutch by birth and based near Toulouse, where their parents ran a farm, Antoon and Albert both competed in four Tours during the late 1930s. Antoon even won two stages in 1938. In recent editions, Muret has hosted three stage starts, leading to victories for Greg Van Avermaet in 2015 at Rodez, Tadej Pogačar in 2021 at the Col du Portet, and Tim Wellens in 2025 at Carcassonne.
- Stage town for the 4th time
- Sub-prefecture of Haute-Garonne (31)
- Population: 26,000
- mairie-muret.fr
Muret and cycling
The town was already on the route of the first Tour de France with Henri Gauban, who took part from 1903 to 1907 but never made it to the finish line. In 1906, he was in fact disqualified for taking the train between Nancy and Dijon with a few teammates. Other adopted sons of Muret, the Van Schendel brothers, fared better than merely making an appearance. Dutch by birth and settled near Toulouse, where their parents ran a farm, Antoon and Albert both took part in four Tours de France in the late 1930s. Antoon even won two stages in 1938. In recent editions, Muret has hosted three stage starts, resulting in victories for Greg Van Avermaet in 2015 at Rodez, Tadej Pogacar in 2021 at the Col du Portet and Tim Wellens in 2025 at Carcassonne.
Sights
Clément Ader and the Great Men Museum
Opened: 2011.
Features: the museum, housed in Vincent Auriol’s former estate, traces the town’s history (with an archaeology gallery and a gallery dedicated to the Battle of Muret in 1213) and pays tribute to the great men who have shaped Muret’s history: Clément Ader, Vincent Auriol, Marshal Niel and Nicolas Dalayrac.
Clément Ader Park
Established: 1925–1930.
History and features: created on the initiative of Vincent Auriol, then mayor of Muret in 1925, the park pays tribute to Clément Ader, a Muret native who was a pioneer of aviation and the inventor of the first flying machine, the Eole. It stands as a testament to aviation, both national and international, as evidenced by the commemorative stelae that adorn the park. The Flight of Icarus dominates Clément Ader Park. The park also features other sculptural works: The Stele of Peace, Crossing the Atlantic and Crossing the Mediterranean... These aviation monuments were erected in honour of Louis Blériot, who crossed the English Channel; Roland Garros, who flew across the Mediterranean; and Nungesser, Coli and Lindbergh, who attempted, with varying degrees of success, to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Listing: listed as a Historic Monument in 1999.
Saint-Jacques Church
Construction: 12th to 16th centuries.
Style: Romanesque and Languedoc Gothic.
History: St Jacques Church was originally built in the Romanesque style. Its bell tower is in the Languedoc Gothic style (14th century). It houses numerous treasures: paintings (by Despax, Gamelin, etc.), works of art and a crypt where other marvels of Muret’s heritage are hidden. Inside is the Romanesque Chapel of the Rosary, which commemorates the Battle of Muret in 1213.
Distinguishing feature: its organ is listed as a Historic Monument. Much of the furnishings are registered and listed.
Listing: listed as a Historic Monument in 1928 (bell tower).
The ruins of the old bridge
Built in 1203 as a ‘bridge free of tolls and duties’, it helped to promote trade. This bridge facilitated Simon de Montfort’s invasion of Muret on two occasions during the 13th century.
