The Cluny abbey

The Cluny abbey

Guide of the Saône-et-Loire

Guide of the Saône-et-Loire

Travel Guide > France > Burgundy > Saône-et-Loire > The Cluny abbey

Built in 910, the Cluny abbey used to be the most powerful Benedictine abbey of the West in the Middle Ages. Its abbey church, formerly 187 metres in length and 30 metres in height below the vault, was the largest church in Christendom until the construction of the St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Despite all the damage it suffered during the French Wars of Religion and at the beginning of the 19th century, the Cluny abbey has kept remains illustrating its prestigious religious past: Clocher de l'Eau-Bénite (Holy Water Belfry), and the Clock tower surmounting the south part of the big transept of the abbey church, the Jean de Bourbon chapel, the convent buildings, the cloister and the old flour store, which is now home to carved capitals from the vanished choir of the church. The Art and Archaeology museum, installed in the Jean de Bourbon abbatial palace, exhibits a remarkable collection of medieval sculptures coming from the abbey and the monastic village. Music lovers must not miss the classical music festival, Les Grandes Heures de Cluny, which takes place every year in July and August.

Please vote:

Link to this page
Back to the guide of the Saône-et-Loire

PLAN YOUR STAY
Find
Near your destination
LOCALISATION IN THE SAÔNE-ET-LOIRE
RELATED ARTICLES
Cluny travel guide and tourist information
Churches and cathedrals: treasures of France’s religious heritage
Best places of the Saône-et-Loire
Best places of Burgundy
Photos of the category "Cluny" to view and download
Photos of the category "Cluny abbey" to view and download
Photos of the Saône-et-Loire to view and download
Photos of Burgundy to view and download
TOURIST SERVICES
Vacation rentals in the Saône-et-LoireBeds & Breakfast in the Saône-et-LoireCampsites in the Saône-et-Loire
Hotels in the Saône-et-LoireRestaurants in the Saône-et-LoireLeisure activities in the Saône-et-Loire
Car rental in FranceFlight to France 
Saône-et-Loire
Flights to France
Find the cheapest ticket!
Travel
Book your holidays at special prices
Rentals in Saône-et-Loire
Ads with photos and direct contact with owners
Vacation in Saône-et-Loire
Accomodation for your vacations, journeys, and weekends