Located in the heart of the Loire Gorges, Monistrol-sur-Loire is the second largest town in Velay in terms of population.
Its emblematic monument is located in the historic centre, interspersed with narrow medieval streets: the Bishops' Castle (Château des Évêques), which was the summer residence of the Bishops of Le Puy until the Revolution. Built in the 13th century and fortified in the 15th, this imposing building flanked by round towers is open to the public and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. Also worth discovering are its 12th-century Romanesque church topped by a 17th-century bell tower, and the chapel of the former Ursulines convent, which contains remarkable 17th-century walnut wood carvings attributed to the artist Pierre Vaneau.
Beautiful walks are available in the area around the town of Monistrol, in particular one starting from the Gournier cross, on the Loire Gorges interpretation trail. This magnificent 3.5-kilometre route, dotted with information signs, will take you through green, unspoilt landscapes.
Good to know: every year in November, the castle hosts a gourmet event, the Gastrôleries, a celebration of wine, food and humour that brings together local and regional producers.
Monistrol-sur-Loire is the second city of Haute-Loire, located 35 km from Saint-Etienne and 47 km from Le Puy-en-Velay.
This town belongs to the Community Velay Marches of Commons, which includes 6 towns: Beauzac, La Chapelle-d'Aurec, Monistrol-sur-Loire, Sainte-Sigolène, Saint-Pal-de-Mons and Les Villettes.
The Loire, but also all the natural and cultural heritage of Monistrol-sur-Loire and its surroundings will seduce you.
The parish of Monistrol becomes "Saint Marcellin Monistrol" around the year 900. It houses indeed since that time the bones of Saint Marcellin, second bishop of Vellaves, reflecting its importance from the Middle Ages.
The city will experience a boom during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Bishop Armand de Bethune embellishes the castle of Bishops, which will help to attract many artists. The church and the city also modernized.
Today, Monistrol-sur-Loire invites to discover and admire its heritage, tracing its history through the ages. Many parks and gardens within the city, as well as hiking trails will delight lovers of nature and culture.
At Monistrol-sur-Loire, activities abound.
The architectural heritage of the town consists of many monuments to visit, like the castle of Bishops, the church, the Ursuline Chapel and Tower of Albret.
The city also has other non visitable castles, as Martinas castle, the castle or the castle Flachat of Foletier.
Castle of Bishops is sold in 1270 by the lord of St Didier in the Puy Bishop, who also became lord of Monistrol. The castle was remodeled several times over the centuries. During the fifteenth century, Bishop Jean de Bourbon made there build a tower with exceptional dimensions. During the seventeenth century, the Bishop Armand de Bethune enriches of new buildings and a wide staircase in stone. Monsignor Galard, last bishop of Monistrol, transformed the garden into English-style park with the grand staircase of wrought iron railing built by Miramand then ironworker Monistrol.
The parish church of Monistrol-sur-Loire dates from the mid-twelfth century. Remodeled in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it has a particular choir and a Romanesque nave of the twelfth century and a bell tower dating from 1657.
The chapel of the former Ursuline convent of the seventeenth century is also a building to visit. You can admire in it the famous altarpiece Vaneau, renowned sculptor. This gilded wooden sculpture built in the seventeenth century shows the death of St. Joseph. The Vaneau altarpiece is ranked at the Fine Arts since 1953.
The tower of the Arbret, also known as the dungeon, is the only part that remains of the medieval defenses of Monistrol.
Monistrol-sur-Loire has a pleasant, between the Loire and the gorges of Bilhard.
A hiking trail from the town invites you to discover an environment that is both calm and preserved.
Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted to indulge their passion in the gorges of Bilhard, teeming with trout, but also in Piat Creek, which flows into the grooves or on the water of Antonianes, where fishing different fish: roach, rudd, tench, pike, gudgeon.
The city also has many parks and gardens for walks, like the castle park, garden and promenade of Beauvoir, the Square of Human Rights or that of the City Hall.
Monistrol The weekly market is held every Friday morning instead Nero. A producer market is also offered on Saturday morning around the church. You will find many local products: cheese, eggs, meat, foie gras, vegetables, fruit, bread and organic honey, potato pancakes and homemade ice cream are offered by the producers of the sector.
In March, the city of Monistrol-sur-Loire's famous carnival. This event brings together children of three schools in the city for a colorful parade, punctuated by multiple bands. A big afternoon parade is also planned in the city center and in the evening a closing ball.
Every year during the first week of Spring Break is held the festival of sport in Monistrol-sur-Loire. The sports associations of the town gather to offer for free to discover their discipline for a week. After this week of activities, a closing show is offered on Friday night.
In June, the music resounds in the downtown Monistrol-sur-Loire for the music festival, with more than twenty bands with various influences which follow in the evening.
Throughout the month of December the municipality in collaboration with merchants of the city, offers activities and entertainment on the occasion of the holiday season.
