The stalls, the wrought iron gates, the Organs

The stalls
After a period of significant unrest in the XVI century, a lull is required at the time of the accession of Henry IV to the throne of France.
At Lombez, this corresponds to the arrival on the episcopal see of three bishops of the Daffis family from 1597-1657 the last of which commanded thirty high stalls and twenty low stalls for the canons, and a bishop's throne, with seats each sides for two vicars. Each armrest is carved with different humorous heads. The bishop's throne is no less spectacular with two Atlanteans, each are antique-inspired.
Seven sculptors worked there during 1651-1655 under the direction of William Fontan of Toulouse and Jean Loze of Saint Elix.
Above the main altar in a wooden niche you can see a statue of the Virgin and Child carved in linden wood painted in white and gold dating from the same era as the stalls.

The wrought iron gates
Look at the entrance to the nave with the wrought iron gates separating the choir from the main nave and the small nave.
All styles of the XVIII century in the reign of Louis XIV to that of Louis XVI are represented.
These grids were formed by Pierre Bertin, from Samatan, under the episcopate of William Maupéou, Bishop 1720-1751.
It is said that the bishop's brother that was at Versailles as Chancellor of King Louis XV would have sent the young Bertin to train in the royal workshop.
Interesting fact : the gates of the nave, kept their fleurs de lis despite the revolution.
The 31st Bishop of Lombez, Leon Francis Ferdinand de Salignac de la Motte Fénélon (1771-1787), grandnephew of the famous Bishop of Cambrai, transformed entirely the inside of the cathedral.
The stalls which were previously the centre of the nave were moved to the choir which he designed in solemn manner with the imposing altar on four large multicoloured stairs in Carrara marble.
It was François Lucas, the famous sculptor from Toulouse was entrusted the overall décor, especially the medallion with the profile of the Virgin Mary and the tabernacle.

The Organs
From the choir it is possible to see the grandstand organ case above the entrance porch.
In 1780-82, William Monturus built this instrument which is a beautiful piece of furniture with double body, placed on an elegant stand with a wrought iron railing.
The coat of arms you can see on the stone pedestal sculptured on the corbel belongs to Henry de Chauvigny de Blot, the last bishop of Lombez.
From May to September, many Baroque music concerts take place using this beautiful instrument.