Historic site and monument

Benedictine Abbey of Ambronay

Pet Friendly

We speak English

Mental disability adaptation

Visually impaired adaptation

Reduced mobility adaptation

More than 1000 years of history await you at the abbey. Discover its Gothic cloister, its defense towers, its abbey church, and uncover its secrets. On a free and self-guided tour, guided tour or accompanied by a tablet, immerse yourself in the heart of History.

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The beautiful Ambronay Abbey was founded during the reign of Charlemagne by Barnard de Romans, around the year 800. It is attached to the Rule of Saint Benedict. This stone lady, having passed the millennium, presents a rich and fascinating history. It will become in turn: prison, barn, hospice, school, garrison building, social housing... Several parts of the building are today classified or listed as Historic Monuments.

An astonishing trajectory to discover during a visit to the site, independently or on a guided tour, organized by the Cultural Meeting Center (CCR). Every year, the Abbey hosts the very vibrant Ambronay ancient and baroque music festival within its walls.

Around the early music festival, created in 1980, an emblematic activity of the Cultural Meeting Center (CCR), Ambronay is developing an ambitious professional integration program for young artists and creators. It gives an important place to amateur practice and cultural action.
The CCR also offers a rich and varied heritage offering, and engages in in-depth reflection on the relationships between culture, tourism and economy, with the establishment of a seminar center and a business club.
All of these activities benefit from international distribution via the record label Ambronay Éditions (more than 70 references).

Themes

    • Fresco / Painting
    • Historical patrimony
    • Well
    • Tour
    • Religious Heritage
    • Abbey
    • Chapel
    • Bell tower
    • Convent
    • Monastery
    • Religious site
    • Cloister
    • Sundial

Types

  • Historic site and monument

Adapted tourism

  • Adapted benefits for mental impairment
  • Adapted services for visual impairment
  • Wheelchair accessible with assistance
  • Reserved place for people with reduced mobility
  • WC + grab bar + circulation space
  • Possibility to drop someone off in front of the site

Proposed activities

  • Manual workshops
  • Temporary exhibitions
  • Show
  • Animation
  • Children's entertainment
  • Concert

Home supplement

Guided tours by reservation
Audio guide tablet self-guided visit: paying
Public toilets near the town hall, behind the steps leading to the abbey

Comfort

Working Languages

  • English

Services

  • Pet Friendly
  • Educational visits
  • Coach access
  • Motorhomes allowed
  • Room rental for event
  • Theme visit
  • Shop
  • Drop off on site for groups
  • Wifi Internet access
  • Tourist routes
  • Tourist Documentation
  • Tourist information
  • Reservation of services
  • Free visits
  • Guided tours
  • Online Shop
  • Numerous ticketing
  • Privatizable

Equipments

  • Screening Room
  • Free parking
  • Coach parking
  • Parking nearby
  • Meeting room
  • Parking
  • Public toilets
  • defibrillator
  • Playground
  • Picnic area.
  • Show room
  • Entertainment room
  • Toilets

Customer base

Maximum age: 99
Minimum age: 5
Maximum group size: 105

Admission fees

Free and free access to the church and the Gothic cloister all year round.

Digital visit: €5
Guided tours, concerts, workshops, conferences: find out more on the website of the Center Culturel de Rencontre d’Ambronay

With the Pass'Découvertes de l'Ain: 1 free visit with digital tablet of the Abbey of Ambronay

Payment method

  • Bank / credit card
  • Cheque
  • Classic Holiday Vouchers
  • Cash
  • Bank transfer
  • Online payment
  • Contactless payment

Opening

In winter, daily from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m.
In summer, daily from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m.

Exceptional closure on December 25 and January 1.

Advice from the Office

In case of rain

Do not panic ! Here are all our sheltered activities.

On the way back

To bring back a souvenir or something to treat yourself, stock up on local products from Pérouges in Bugey.