Saint-Sever-De-Rustan: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The former Benedictine abbey church is now the parish church of Saint-Pierre. The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Sever-de-Rustan is protected as a historic monument; its architecture combines Romanesque capitals, Gothic vaults, Neoclassical façades and Baroque wood panelling.

Those who choose Saint-Sever-de-Rustan as a place to stay want to rent a holiday apartment there.

Culture

The oldest masonry courses of the nave of the parish church of Saint-Pierre probably date from the 11th century. In the first half of the 12th century, work was carried out on the nave and porch in connection with the monumental architectural sculpture. The earliest written records of the Abbey of Saint-Sever-de-Rustan date from the 11th century.

The western wing of the abbey, known as the Pavillon des Hôtes, was extended around 1750 and redesigned with Rocaille wood panelling and stucco decorations. In the eastern wing, the abbey preserves a wall that appears to be a remnant of the former fortification wall surrounding the monastery. The polygonal apse of the church also preserves a surviving chemin de ronde, probably connected with the fortifications of the village of Saint-Sever.

Experiences

At the Abbey of Saint-Sever-de-Rustan, guided tours for groups of 15 or more are offered year-round by prior reservation. A public car park is available in front of the abbey. La Ferme Rustanaise sells handmade goat’s milk ice cream at the abbey.

The abbey’s arts and crafts programme includes live demonstrations and creative workshops on ceramics, artistic metalwork, furniture making and textiles. Since 2023, the abbey has housed an arts and crafts space where local craftspeople share their work and skills with the public.

The restoration interpretation programme includes a guided tour of the construction site as well as visits to the restoration work and the restored rooms. The programme relating to the restoration of the abbey also includes workshops on masonry, stonework, paving and the construction of calades.

Nature

On the banks of the Arros near the abbey, there is a picnic table with a view of the abbey.

La Boucle de Severus is an easy 9.6 km hike starting from Saint-Sever-de-Rustan, with a walking time of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The hiking route begins in the village of Saint-Sever-de-Rustan and at its Benedictine abbey. It offers beautiful views of the Pyrenean mountain range and passes through the rural Arros Valley.

Other places: La Barthe-De-Neste, Antist, Auriébat, Vieuzos, Hourc, Aureilhan, Les Angles, Sailhan

For the overarching travel overview: Hautes-Pyrénées.