Located right in the centre of the bastide town, the Church of Notre-Dame du Gimontois occupies a very special place in Gimont.
Unlike the usual layout of bastides, here it is not the market hall that stands in the centre of the town, but the church. This unusual configuration can be explained by the influence of the Cistercians, who founded the town.
Built between the 14th and 15th centuries, the church stands out with its octagonal bell tower that dominates the entire town. This tower rests on a large stone base, topped by a lighter brick section to lighten the structure. The bells are suspended from a wooden frame. The bell tower is strategically positioned on the slope, reinforced at each corner by massive buttresses that ensure the stability of the whole structure.
Along the walls of the church, traces of ancient buildings can still be seen: in the past, dwellings were attached to the building. This proximity offered both a spiritual advantage, bringing people closer to God, and a significant economic benefit, as it meant one less wall to build.
Listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1939, the church contains many remarkable heritage features. Upon entering, the eye is drawn to the tympanum decorated with a stone sculpture representing the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This work by the sculptor Antonin Carlès, a native of Gimont, dates from the second half of the 19th century. A renowned artist, he won the Grand Prix at the 1889 World's Fair and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1900.
Inside, the Gothic nave is impressive in size: 40 metres long and 16 metres wide. It is bathed in the coloured light of magnificent stained glass windows. The high altar, made of polychrome marble from Caunes-Minervois and decorated with bronze, has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1905. It is distinguished by its tomb-like shape.
The church also houses one of the three historic organs of the Gers (Auch, Lombez and Gimont). Built in 1772 by Godefroy Schmidt, the organ was listed as a Historic Monument just three years later, in 1775. It was restored between 1980 and 1984 by Robert Chavin.
Le chemin de croix, quant à lui, a été inauguré en 2013, il est né d’un projet artistique ambitieux porté par la paroisse après le vol, dans les années 1970, de presque tous les tableaux d’origine. Seuls cinq tableaux restaient sur 14, dont un en mauvais état. L’artiste local Cédric Lavaud a été sollicité pour créer une nouvelle série de tableaux en s'inspirant des textes bibliques mais aussi les propositions faites aux membres de la paroisse. Il conçu 15 œuvres lumineuses, audacieuses et modernes. En plus des 14 tableaux traditionnels, il a ajouté une 15e scène, celle de la Résurrection. L’artiste souligne et revendique : " avoir travaillé dans le désordre, au gré de mon inspiration. Je voulais apporter une touche de modernité, tout en plaisant au plus grand nombre. Enfin, je voulais une rupture dans la présentation, la fréquence et rompre avec les codes tout en restant respectueux."
