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Church · Toulouse, Occitânia
Couvent des Jacobins
Church and cloister of the Dominicans, all in brick, with the 28-metre palm-shaped column and the tomb of São Tomás de Aquino.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Couvent des Jacobins
The Couvent des Jacobins is the former convent of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, founded in Toulouse by São Domingos in 1215. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it is one of the best-known examples of southern Gothic executed in brick.
The church has two naves separated by a row of very tall columns. The last of these, at the rear, fans into 22 ribs on the vault like the leaves of a palm, about 28 metres above the floor. It is the famous palmier des Jacobins.
Since 1369 the church has housed the relics of São Tomás de Aquino, the Dominican theologian. The coloured stained-glass windows, remade in the 20th century, change the interior's colour according to the time of day.
The complex includes the cloister, with a garden and double-columned galleries, the chapter house and the Chapelle Saint-Antonin, with 14th-century wall paintings. Temporary exhibitions occupy the former refectory.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
On a sunny day, mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the stained glass casts colour onto the columns.
How to get there
It lies between the Place du Capitole and the Garonne, about a 400-metre walk from the Capitole. The nearest metro station is Capitole (line A).
Tip
There is a mirror on the floor near the palm column to view the vault without straining your neck. The church and the cloister have different access rules; check at the ticket office.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Couvent des Jacobins
What is the 'palm' of the Jacobins?
It's the column at the back of the church, from which 22 ribs fan out to support the vault at about 28 meters high, resembling a palm tree.
Who is buried there?
The relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican theologian, have been in the church since 1369.
Why are they called Jacobins?
The Dominicans acquired that nickname in France because of a church dedicated to Saint James (Jacques) that they received in Paris.