Welcome to monestiés

At the borders of the Causse and the Ségala, Monestiés is curled up in a loop of the Cérou river From the top of a hill the silhouette of the village is animated by the proportions of the buildings and the tints of green.

Curled up in a loop of the Cérou river around the St Pierre church, this quiet and harmonious village is recognised for a pinnacle of religious statuary.

In fact, Monestiés shelters twenty life sized statues made of painted limestone which illustrate the three last episodes of the Passion of Christ – the Crucifixion, the Pieta, and the entombment. This masterpiece was commissioned by the bishop of Albi, Louis I of Amboise in 1490 for his castle at Combéfa several kilometers from Monesties. The castle was finally abandoned and partly demolished. The inhabitants of Monesties were permitted to transport these heavy statues and delivered them on their own to the St Jacques chapel, an ancient hospital for pilgrims to Compostela, where this monumental work remains to this day.

The village also has an enjoyable museum of modern art featuring the canvases of Francisco Bajen and Martine Véga, Spanish artists who were married and had fled the regime of General Franco. Two different styles of art which mix the suffering of exile, spirituality and the search for the inner self.

Shaped like the shell of a snail, the construction of the village started in the 10th century around the church of St Peter, a small romanesque building transformed in 1550 into a group of buildings in the Southern French Gothic style.

With its medieval architecture and picturesque lanes and the thread of history through the centuries, Monestiés offers the curious visitor a peaceful and interesting stop. In fact after discovering the village, the banks of the Cerou river welcome you for a tranquil stroll along the riverbank.

Note : a botanical route extends the length of the riverbank where you will discover the local flora.

In the village : Services and commerces.

Visits with commentaries by the guides from the Tourist Office allow you to really discover the historic sites:

• The mediaeval village
• The ancient Hopital St Jacques which has been home since 1744 to a group of 14th century, limestone painted statues, unique in France and classified as historic monuments
• The Bajén-Vega museum

Prepare your stay by reserving from today your visits, excursions, and tastings according to your tastes and wishes….

Different styles and programmes for visits can be suggested by the Tourist Office : The mediaeval, Compostela, A tour of the local most beautiful villages of France, following the steps of St Jacques, following the steps of the country folk.

Preserved at the heart of the St Jacques chapel, an ancient hospital on a secondary route to Santiago de Compostela, this group of 20 statues, classified as Historic Monuments, are of painted limestone and show three scenes from the Passion of Christ depicting the last three Stations of the Cross.

Dating from the 15th century this work of art is unique in its composition and its breadth anticipates the Renaissance in its modernity

The Chapel is open daily from 10h to 12h and from 14h until 18.30 during the summer period.

Created in a manorial house in the heart of the village, the Bajen-Vega museum brings together a unique collection of 120 contemporary Spanish paintings. On two floors above the Tourist Office, come and discover the canvasses of Francisco Bajen nicknamed "the painter of silence" and those of Martine Vega, "the tamer of colours".

The museum is open daily from 10h to 12h from 14h until 18h30 during the summer period.

Other hours : mi-mars à mi-juin et mi-septembre à mi-octobre tous les jours de 10h à 12h et de 14h à 18h / mi-octobre à mi-décembre open daily de 10h à 12h et de 14h à 17h. Hiver du lundi au vendredi de 14h à 17h et week end de 10h à 12h et de 14h à 17h.

Trekking or hiking : ther is always something to see in the Segala Tarnais (our region).

Let us guide you to the trekking routes which will allow you to discover our green village.

Whether you are a beginner or a serious rambler, set off on the discovery of our footpaths.

From the Cerou to the Zere, from the Borie Blanche to Suech, we can suggest a selection of itineraries in the heart of green and peaceful countryside. Walks and rambles are accessible to all are available at the Tourist Office.

Monesties is more than a village surrounded by greenery. Monesties offers you a wide range of local products.

A gourmande village in mid April when the village welcomes the producers of award winning brands during the Gourmande Fair and the opportunity to taste local recipes such as stuffed breast of veal.

Cooking dictated by your tastes...

Meet again all our producers : local producers, organic farmers...

Otherwise discover our regional producers. Many will be pleased to welcome you to share their passion for their products and their trade.