Founded in about 1095 by monks that came from the Molesne abbey in Burgundy, the abbey affiliated itself to the Cistercians in 1136 after which it became one of the most powerful in medieval Savoie due its income from property rights.
A crossroads for the great spiritual ideas of the late 11th century, a meeting place for saints and a crucible for monastic reform, it was from the abbey of Molesme in Burgundy that a group of monks set off around 1094. Their destination? A small possession of the Counts of Savoy: the Vallée d'Aulps (Vallée des Alpages in Latin), with the aim of founding a monastery in line with their spiritual ideal: "a laboratory of monasticism", as it were, more clearly oriented towards eremitism than cenobitism.
Thanks to numerous land donations, the monastery became one of the most powerful in medieval Savoy.
Since summer 2007, the restored and transformed former monastic farmhouse has been home to an interpretation center. A remarkable scenography, completely renovated in November 2020, allows visitors to discover in a simple and entertaining way the daily life of monks in the Middle Ages, their functions within the community, the relationship between Aulps Abbey and Savoie, the surprising story of its destruction and the secrets of medicinal plants.
Thanks to numerous land donations, the monastery became one of the most powerful in medieval Savoy.
Since summer 2007, the restored and transformed former monastic farmhouse has been home to an interpretation center. A remarkable scenography, completely renovated in November 2020, allows visitors to discover in a simple and entertaining way the daily life of monks in the Middle Ages, their functions within the community, the relationship between Aulps Abbey and Savoie, the surprising story of its destruction and the secrets of medicinal plants.
video
Themes
Visit
customers
Visit language(s)
English, French
Audio guide language(s)
English, French
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours available permanently
Group visit services
- Unguided group tours available permanently
- Guided group tours on request
opening
exceptional closure(s)
- 01/01/2025
- 01/05/2025
- 25/12/2025
prices
| Pricing | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 7 € | Not communicated |
| Child | 3,50 € | Not communicated |
| Group adults | 5,60 € | Not communicated |
| Group children | 2,80 € | Not communicated |
The price includes a visit to the entire discovery area and exhibitions.
Children’s rates: 6 to 16 years.
Group rates for groups of 20 or more.
Free admission for children under 6, 1 free adult admission/10 children, 1 free adult admission/20 adults.
Free with Pass Léman France!
Children’s rates: 6 to 16 years.
Group rates for groups of 20 or more.
Free admission for children under 6, 1 free adult admission/10 children, 1 free adult admission/20 adults.
Free with Pass Léman France!
Payment methods
services
Équipment
Services
on-site activities
- Temporary exhibition
- Permanent exhibition
animals welcome
