SAINT-SAVIN ABBEY

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Saint-Savin Abbey boasts the largest collection of Romanesque wall paintings in Europe (^11th-12th centuries). Spectacular biblical scenes, including Noah's Ark and the Tower of Babel, are displayed over 460 m² at a height of 17 meters. Look up! Some 50 scenes from the Old Testament, borrowed from the books of Genesis and Exodus, adorn the nave vault. The entrance porch illustrates the cycle of the Apocalypse, while the upper gallery presents a program dedicated to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. We recommend a guided tour, which will give you the keys to reading the paintings and access to the tribune for a spectacular view. Wow effect guaranteed! Alternatively, opt for the self-guided tour, with its touch-sensitive tablet that lets you see the details right in front of your eyes. There are several itineraries (30 min, 1 hr or unlimited), enriched with multimedia content: animated photos, 3D views, historical reconstructions, testimonies from archaeologists and historians, sound effects and period reconstructions... You'll discover the daily life of the monks, medieval construction techniques, and the political and religious context of the abbey's foundation. Virtual access to the crypt, closed for conservation reasons, is also available. Founded in the ^9th century, the abbey underwent construction, destruction, reconstruction and restoration. To recount this tormented history, a scenography has been set up in the former monks' refectory. You can also visit the monastic cells and the new exhibition, as well as the garden. Escape games, theatrical tours and musical visits complete the experience. Visits to the Valley of Frescoes (Sainte-Catherine de Jouhet chapel, Antigny and Saint-Germain churches) are also available.