Taur, bull, the instrument of the martyrdom of Saint Sernin, derives from Latin taurus, and is cognate with Standard French taureau.

The church of Notre-Dame du Taur occupies the site where, according to legend, the body of Saint Saturnin, first bishop of Toulouse, martyred in 250, became detached from the bull that had dragged him to his death.

[2] Toulouse being an important stage on one of the main routes of pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims would pause to honor the saint at his tomb.

Eventually, their numbers became so great that in the 11th century, a larger church was built to accommodate them, the present-day Basilica of Saint-Sernin, to which Saturnin's bones were also transferred.

The facade takes the form known in the region as a clocher-mur, bell tower wall, and served as the model for many country churches in the area.