The Abbey of Saint-Maurice, founded in 515 by the Burgundian king Saint Sigismund, is the oldest monastery in the Western world still in operation. You can visit the basilica, the Martolet archaeological site, the catacombs and the Abbey Treasury.
Religious buildings
Main highlights
- An abbey active since 515, continuously occupied by a religious community
- The Abbey Treasury, with its reliquaries and pieces of medieval goldwork
- The Martolet site, where excavations have uncovered six successive churches
Overview
The Abbey of Saint-Maurice is the oldest monastic establishment in Western Christendom still in operation. Founded in 515 by the Burgundian king Saint Sigismund, it stands on the site of an earlier place of worship built to house the relics of Saint Maurice of Agaunum and the martyrs of the Theban Legion, executed around 280.
A community of canons still lives here and practises perpetual prayer. Located on the Via Francigena, a major medieval pilgrimage route, the abbey has over the centuries enjoyed the favour of many sovereigns and prelates, who enriched its heritage.
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What to see and do
The visit begins in the 17th-century basilica, restored and enlarged in the mid-20th century. It houses the relics of the martyrs and remains the heart of community life. The tour then leads to the Martolet archaeological site, where six churches stood one after another. Ten years of excavations uncovered their remains, which reveal how the place of worship evolved.
You then pass through the catacombs, underground spaces where the remains of many members of the community rest. The visit ends with the Abbey Treasury : relics, jewellery and pieces of medieval goldwork entrusted to the monks by kings and princes to honour the Theban martyrs.
The tour uses light and imagery to make history accessible. You can also attend the canons’ perpetual prayer.
Practical information
Visit duration : allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for the full tour.
Audience : the tour is suitable for everyone, with a fun, interactive trail designed for children.
On site : bookshop and gift shop, which notably sells products from the abbey’s wine cellars.
Combined ticket : a combined ticket is available with the Château de Saint-Maurice or the Grotte aux Fées.
Visiting tips
The abbey is home to an active religious community : please respect the calm and sacred character of the site. If you would like to attend the perpetual prayer, ask for the times at reception.
Afterwards, the town is worth a stroll, especially around the Martolet. The shop lets you buy wines from the abbey’s cellars.
Nearby attractions
- The Grotte aux Fées, above Saint-Maurice, leads through a tunnel to an underground lake fed by a waterfall.
- The Bex Salt Mines showcase the miners’ work in a network of galleries worked for more than five centuries.
- The Château de St-Maurice stands on a rocky promontory above the Rhône Valley and hosts exhibitions.
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