South Aveyron: labyrinth, palace, work of art… the unusual construction of Saint-Sever-du-Moustier, a real attraction

Depuis sa création en 2003 près de 2000 personnes ont apporté leur touche à l’édifice. Midi Libre – Noélie Lemaire

Ce village du Sud Aveyron célèbre ses 21 années de créations.

Strolling through the town, beauty is on every street corner. In particular, we find the unusual construction, a real participatory construction site in perpetual evolution in the same spirit as the Palais du Facteur Cheval. “The simplicity of art, the very essence of it”, defines Pol Lemétais, employee at the village's Musée des Arts Buissonniers.

Already twenty years of creations

The initiative launched in 2003 has evolved with the artists who have passed through. Nearly 2,000 people have added their touch to the building. “At first people wondered why we were doing this, says Pol Lemétais, looking back on the history of the place. It took a few years before it looked like something. Today the residents are proud to show the construction to their families."

Courses are offered to learn various techniques. Midi Libre – Noélie Lemaire

Young and old alike get lost in this true labyrinth of creation, captivated by the profusion of details. “We feel like we are returning to a child's world, a world of dreams.” Staircases, stone vaults, ceramics… From floor to ceiling, every part of the palace has been carefully designed to allow creative minds to express themselves.

Every year, nearly 4,000 visitors come to admire this unusual monument. Midi Libre – Noélie Lemaire

During the visit, not everyone will be sensitive to the same elements. While some will notice the sculptures, others will look at the colorful mosaics. "It's abundant. You can pass by several times and not see the same things." Both children and adults are amazed and enjoy this moment of escape. Every year, nearly 4,000 visitors come to admire this unique monument. "There is none of the cold side of museums. It is accessible!"

Also to see in Saint-Sever-du-Moustier

The Musée des Arts Buissonniers in Saint-Sever-du-Moustier is offering a temporary exhibition until September 22 on François Jauvion and other artists. Upstairs, there is a permanent space dedicated to Paul Ammard who created paintings and sculptures by assembling and painting shells in a colorful and exuberant style. Visitors can also take a detour to the sculpture garden. Younger visitors can discover the village with an artistic treasure hunt, the galopins. An activity "original and fun that is very popular", says a grandmother with her children.

A fun week to learn a technique

Accessible, precisely, in particular through week-long courses organized to allow those who wish to participate in the project. And so, to learn a technique like blacksmithing, stone cutting, linocutting, and many others.

A mason supervises the construction site to allow the building to evolve. Midi Libre – Noélie Lemaire

Accompanied by a speaker, participants are housed in a wooden camp. “Unusual experiences” lasting a few hours are also offered on Thursday afternoons. A less complete learning experience that remains, all the same, in a friendly atmosphere. What tourists like “is to do something, to leave a trace somewhere”, confides Pol Lemétais.

Musée des Arts Buissonniers on the church square in Saint-Sever-du-Moustier.

Open every day from 3 to 7 p.m. in July and August. Free entry. More information on the website or at 05 65 99 97 97.

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