Carbon-coated monoliths were prepared from polyfurfuryl alcohol coated cordierite structures obtained by dip-coating. In this way, thin, homogeneous, consistent and good adhered carbon layers were obtained. The different steps followed in the preparation of these catalyst supports were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Pd and Pt catalysts were prepared by equilibrium impregnation of the monolithic supports with an aqueous solution of the corresponding tetraammine metal (II) nitrates. The catalysts were pretreated in H2 at 300 °C before their characterization by chemisorption or before testing their catalytic activity. This pretreatment was monitored by temperature programme reduction. Catalytic activities in xylene combustion were evaluated as a function of the reaction temperature as well as against time on stream. The monolithic catalysts were thermally stable during the reaction. The Pt catalysts were more active than the Pd ones. The Pd catalysts with smaller Pd-particle sizes were more active. In the case of Pt catalysts however, the opposite was observed, which might be due to a structure sensitivity effect. Complete xylene combustion was reached in the range between 150 and 180 °C with a total selectivity to CO2 and H2O. Combustion of m-xylene was easier than p-xylene over Pt.