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The abbey of Saint-Savin is a Unesco treasure to be discovered with the family thanks to free, guided or immersive visits.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Saint-Savin Abbey is home to a masterpiece unique in Europe: the largest group of Romanesque wall paintings preserved to date. This 11th-century treasure trove unfurls its frescoes over 460 m², perched 17 meters high in a majestic nave bathed in striking light.
Look up! Some 50 scenes from the Old Testament, borrowed from the books of Genesis and Exodus, adorn the nave vault. These include the famous Noah's Ark and the emblematic scene of the building of the Tower of Babel. The entrance porch illustrates the cycle of the Apocalypse, while the upper gallery presents a program dedicated to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. Guided tours of the upper gallery offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire building: the wow effect is guaranteed.
You can explore this exceptional site at your leisure, thanks to a touch-screen tablet offering several different itineraries (30 minutes, 1 hour or unlimited), enriched by multimedia content: animated photos, 3D views, historical reconstructions, archaeologists' and historians' testimonials, soundscapes and period reconstructions... You'll discover the daily life of the monks, medieval building techniques, and the political and religious context of the abbey's foundation. Virtual access to the crypt, closed for conservation reasons, is also available.
To fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the site, you can also opt for a guided tour that takes you up to the gallery of the church, from where the full splendor of the building can be appreciated.
Each tour also includes a free exploration of the monastic building: a scenographic tour of the former monks' cells, the monastic garden and the refectory. This vast 17th-century room now houses the "Battle of the Kings" scene, once painted on the vault of the abbey church, as well as a recent exhibition devoted to the abbey's turbulent history.
Other immersive formats enrich the experience: escape games, theatrical tours... The full program is available on the website.
From Saint-Savin, you can also explore the neighboring sites of the Vallée des Fresques, an exceptional area where numerous churches still preserve painted decorations dating from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. A truly artistic and spiritual journey through the centuries. Not to be missed!
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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Opening time and information on SAINT-SAVIN ABBEY
Closed in January and on November 11, December 24, 25 and 31. July and August: open every day from 10am to 7pm. April to June and September to October: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Sundays, 2pm to 6pm. February, March, November and December: Wed to Sat: 10am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. Sunday: 2pm-5pm. Free for children under 7. Adults: €10 (digital tablet: +€2). Children (aged 7 to 17): €6. Reduced rate: €8. Guided tour for adults: €14, children aged 7 to 17: €8. Guided tour (daily in July and August: 10:30 am, 12 pm, 2:30 pm, 4 pm and 5:30 pm. See website for other periods). Store and bookshop.
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Members' reviews on SAINT-SAVIN ABBEY
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
L’accès à la tribune au-dessus du porche ne se fait qu’au cours d’une visite guidée. Elle porte également des fresques et offre une vue en hauteur sur la voûte.
La nef, en contrebas de 5 marches par rapport au narthex, est couverte d’une voute considérée au 11e siècle comme idéale en élévation et luminosité pour être couverte de fresques qui s’étendent sur plus de 400 m2. Le programme est basé sur l’Ancien Testament et les scènes n’ont pas toutes traversé les âges mais une grande partie est encore très lisible pour notre plus grand bonheur.
Le chœur et la crypte (non accessible) complètent le spectacle.
Pour bien apprécier, il vaut mieux se préparer à l’avance (il existe de bonnes descriptions sur internet) ou louer l’audioguide à l’accueil. Il est très bien fait et permet d’écouter les textes le nez en l’air.
a voir absolument
On suit notamment l'histoire de Cain et Abel, l'arche de Noé.
Dans la partie abbaye payante, il n'y a pas beaucoup de choses, si ce n'est plusieurs petites expositions intéressantes sur l'abbaye, l'art des fresques et la vie des moines.
Si on veut comprendre les fresque de l'abbatiale il faut le livret de visite, qui s'achète avec l'entrée du reste de l'abbaye.
Il est possible de visiter ce chef d'œuvre avec une tablette avec un prix avoisinant les 10€
Il est également possible de visiter avec un guide avec un prix avoisinant les 13 € il me semble.
A noter grand parking à proximité et pour celles et ceux qui veulent rester dans la région un peu plus longtemps, vous avez plusieurs hôtels et un camping.
Bonne visite et découverte ????????????