Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse , granted it a liberal charter .
Montauban is the second oldest ( after Mont - de-Marsan ) of the bastides of southern France .
Montauban 's foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse , granted it a liberal charter .
Montauban is the second oldest ( after Mont - de-Marsan ) of the bastides of southern France .