A boat on the roof?
You'll love !
- The son et lumière show
- The enthousiasm of our guides
Whilst Béarn has a number of Romanesque buildings, Monein has the largest gothic church in Béarn, the church of Saint-Girons. The height of its clock town is impressive and its isometric double shelled upturned boat timber roof is unique. It has other peculiarities: just like its roof, it is asymmetrical with a principal nave and one single side chapel; it has no transept.
It took three generations of builders to complete between 1464 and 1530.
They say that the cagots made a strong contribution to building this roof. These cagots were excluded from society living in their own community away from the village. It is supposed that most of them were carpenters.
The guided tour presents the architecture of this church and the history of the village. We can then climb the 72 steps of the clock tower to view the roof in son et lumière.
Child discovery booklet "I discover the St Girons Church"
The children will discover the St Girons church while having fun. Inside the booklet, plenty of games for a family discovery of the largest gothic church in Béarn. The Booklet is free and available at the tourist office, in front of the church.
2025 timetable:
From 3 January to 20 April :
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm. Except public holidays
From 21 April to 6 July and from 1 September to 19 October :
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 4pm. Except public holidays.
From 7 July to 31 August :
Church and roof structure tour with sound and light show (1h15): Monday to Saturday at 11am and 3pm, Sunday and public holidays at 3pm.
Flash guided tour of the roof structure and sound and light show (45 min): Monday to Saturday at 5pm, Sundays and public holidays at 5pm.
From 20 October to 2 November :
Tuesday to Saturday at 4pm. Except public holidays.
From 3 November to 31 December :
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm. Except bank holidays.
We also advise you to contact us by telephone on the morning of your visit, as some visits may be cancelled or postponed in the event of religious services (weddings, funerals, etc.) or other events.
Groups welcome all year round by prior arrangementEn vidéo
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L'église St Girons et son clocher haut de 40m -
L'église St Girons et son retable du 18è siècle -
Narthex of the church St Girons in Monein -
Charpente unique en France ayant la forme d'une double coque de navire renversé. -
L'église St Girons de style gothique au centre du village de Monein -
Un vision décalée de la charpente -
Architectural detail of the church of St Girons in Monein -
Nef et collatéral de l'église St Girons de Monein -
Spectacle son et lumières sous la charpente -
The timber roof of the church of St Girons in Monein
Rates for guided tour of the church and its framework + sound and light show: 1h15
- Adults: €6
- Young people (aged 6 to 16): €3
- Reduced (students, jobseekers): €5
- Children (under 6): free
- Family (2 adults + 2 young people): €15
Rates for flash guided tour of the roof structure + sound and light show: 45 min
- Adults: €5
- Young people (aged 6 to 16): €3
- Children (under 6): free
- Family (2 adults + 2 young people): €15
(Credit card deposit; payment on site before the visit)
Places are limited to 19 people per visit.
Reservations essential, payment by credit card recommended.
Contact :
Office de tourisme Cœur de Béarn
58 rue du Commerce - 64360 Monein
Tel : 05 59 12 30 40
