The Aulps Abbey was founded at the end of the 11th century in the heart of the Chablais pre-Alps, at an altitude of 800m. The monks who lived there were encouraged to join the Cistercian Order in 1136. Before long, the abbey became one of the most powerful monasteries in medieval Savoy. The church was largely destroyed in 1823 and until 1998 the grounds were used for farming.
The Aulps Abbey's 3-hectare estate houses the church facade and ruins, the cellars, gardens, porch and above all the renovated monastic farm, which opened in 2007 and houses the Visitors' Discovery Centre. This centre - unique in France - gives a vivid idea of the daily routine of monks living in a mountain abbey in the Middle Ages.
The abbey's gardens are also a focus for visitors, with a flourishing botanical garden (herbularius) and a vegetable patch (hortus).
Tips
MULTI PASS ACTIVITY | Unlimited access on presentation of the Multi Pass (for pedestrians only)
Tips for the photographer
The abbey church is oriented: the sun rises on the side of the choir, and the western façade, featuring the building's emblematic rose window, should be photographed as a result, on the side that is most valued according to the time of day.
Sustainable tourism
I'm discovering bees with my family" workshop every Wednesday in July and August.
Honey and bee festival on Sunday August 6, 2023.
Conservatory orchard and rose garden for educational purposes.
History, culture and heritage
Founded around 1094 by monks who had left Molesme Abbey, Aulps Abbey can look back on 700 years of monastic life. Eager for rigor, austerity and, above all, the perfect application of the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Aulps community soon inspired the writings of the Charter of Charity of the Cistercian order, to which it would become attached in 1136.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Abbey of Aulps continued to expand its territory, developing significant economic activity throughout the valley, but also beyond its borders, spreading to Faucigny, the shores of Lake Geneva, and as far as the Jura, where the monks owned salt mines!
In the 13th century, the monks of Aulps acquired the high rights of justice, and were at the head of an ecclesiastical seigneury.
Weakened by local revolts and the introduction of the Commende system, which led to a liberalization of the monks' morals, the Aulps abbey lost its power from the 14th century onwards. Despite several attempts at recovery (occupation by the Valais, visits by Saint François de Sales...), only 6 monks remained when French revolutionary troops arrived at the gates of Savoy in 1792, and drove them out altogether.
Largely destroyed in 1823 by the villagers to rebuild their burnt-out parish church, the abbey church became a stone quarry until it was listed as a Monument Historique in 1902.
Father Alexis Coutin, archpriest of Saint Jean d'Aulps from 1928 onwards, was the first man to take an interest in the beauty of the place, and to clear it of its rubble, restoring it to the majesty it enjoys today.
The whole story is told through the interpretation center set up in the former monastic farmhouse, with its innovative museography.
Ouverture
From 01/01 to 31/03 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st.
From 01/04 to 14/06 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on May 1st.
From 15/06 to 15/09, daily between 10 am and 7 pm.
From 16/09 to 30/09 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
From 01/10 to 31/10 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
From 15/12 to 31/12 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on bank holidays.
Tarifs
Adult: 7 €
Child : 3.50 €
Group adults: 5.60 €
Group children : 2.80 €.
Free entry for children < 6 years.
Child entry valid for 6 - 16 years.
Group rate available for > 20 people.
Free and unlimited access with the Multi Pass card.
Contact et accès
961 route de l'Abbaye
74430 Saint-Jean-d'Aulps
Haute-Savoie (74)
