Abstract Total photoneutron cross sections for 56 Ba, 139 57 La, 58 Ce, 141 59 Pr, 60 Nd, using a monochromatic photon beam are obtained by measuring directly and simultaneously the partial photoneutron cross sections σ(γ, n)+σ(γ, pn) and σ(γ, 2n). In particular the modulation of the giant dipole resonance of 141 Pr is compared with previously published results. A tentative analysis of the observed structure within the framework of the particle-hole as well as the collective models is also attempted.