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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Girons de Monein, built between 1464 and 1530, is a Gothic masterpiece located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It was erected to replace the former Romanesque church of St Peter, which had become too small for a rapidly growing population. Monein then had more than 5,000 inhabitants, making it a more populated municipality than Pau, and economically prosperous, paying more taxes than Orthez and Oloron combined. The construction, financed by the inhabitants through taxes, was partly carried out by the pottery, talented artisans but socially excluded.

The structure of the church, in the heart of oak, is its main characteristic: it forms a double hull of overturned ship, unique of its kind. With 61 meters long, 16 wide and 31 high, it surpassed in size the cathedrals of Lescar and Oloron-Sainte-Marie. In the 16th century, Joan of Albret, Queen of Navarre, converted her into a Protestant temple, stripped her furniture and threatened to destroy her. She was finally spared and returned to Catholic worship after the Edit d'integration du Béarn by Louis XIII.

Today the church preserves a rich baroque furniture, including an imposing altarpiece and 17th century Toulouse organs. Ranked a historic monument in 1913, it was restored in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its structure, enhanced by bright animations, now attracts visitors. The guided tours, organized by the tourist office, allow you to discover its history and exceptional architecture.

The northern chapel and entrance gate date from the beginning of the 16th century. The building, with two naves, rests on cylindrical piles decorated with columnettes and carved keys. A tower overlooks the porch, adding to its imposing silhouette. The church symbolizes Monein's religious richness and devotion, where nine brotherhoods and sixteen priests testify to an intense community life in modern times.

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