Monthyon Column, Memorial column in Aurillac, France
The Colonne Monthyon is a stone memorial column in Aurillac, France, standing near the river Jordanne and dedicated to Baron Monthyon, an 18th-century benefactor of the city. The column is made of gray stone, with a round shaft and a simple capital at the top, and carries no large inscriptions or carvings.
The column was erected in the 19th century to honor Baron Monthyon, who in the previous century had contributed to improving the layout of Aurillac and supporting public works. Memorial columns of this kind were common in France at the time, built to keep the memory of notable public figures alive.
The Colonne Monthyon stands on a small square where locals sometimes stop to chat or simply take a break from their day. The square has a few benches and trees, making it a natural gathering spot in the daily life of the town.
The Colonne Monthyon is freely accessible and sits near the river Jordanne, so it fits naturally into a walk through the older parts of Aurillac. As an outdoor monument, it can be visited at any time of day.
Baron Monthyon is also known as the founder of the Prix de Vertu, a prize still awarded today by the Académie française to recognize acts of virtue. This connection to a still-active national institution sets this plain column apart from many other local memorials.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
