The Abbey of Saint-Savin, a jewel of Romanesque art listed by UNESCO

The Sistine of the Middle Ages

Entering the abbey, as the savior of its frescoes, Prosper Mérimée, then inspector of historical monuments, did three centuries earlier, is a unique experience. The nickname "Sistine Chapel of the French Middle Ages" given to the place is far from exaggerated! At 17 meters high, the most beautiful and grandiose that Romanesque art has to offer is displayed: the largest collection of wall paintings in Europe of XI^th and XII^th centuries, real picture book painted by monks. This fresco, in a extraordinary state of conservation, retraces Old Testament where there are iconic scenes : Noah's Ark, the passage of the Red Sea or the Tower of Babel.

Founded in the 9th century, the Abbey has had a rather eventful past! Construction, destruction, reconstruction... come and discover its history!

Travel back in time!

The Abbey of Saint-Savin offers many stories, each more extraordinary than the last! To discover them all, several types of tours are available: 

• Self-guided tours with a digital tablet: Since 2019, the Abbey of Saint-Savin has been combining the Middle Ages with new technologies. Enjoy a truly immersive experience in the various visitor areas! Three tour durations are available: 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 hours. The tour is translated into sign language, English, Spanish, Dutch, German, Italian, and Chinese. Another experience, in cartoon form, is offered to children in the footsteps of little Hugues, an apprentice artist monk. Experience tested and approved by our youngest visitors!
• Individual or group guided tours: This tour format, lasting approximately 1 hour, allows you to ask questions directly! Your guide will reveal the secrets of this extraordinary place for you.

In addition to visiting the church, don't forget to take a look at the former monks' cells, in the refectory and in the garden offering an overview of the monastic life of the time. 

The little extra of 2025 : come and discover from 15 June, a new dramatized tour and an escape game. The dramatized tour will feature Prosper Mérimée, savior of Saint-Savin. 

The Caesarus: when history is savored!

Did the visit whet your appetite? A few steps from the abbey, in the former cloister of the abbey, which has now disappeared, there is now a nugget for the finest gourmets: the gourmet restaurant, the Cerasus. The young chef Thibaud Piroux, who learned his skills with star chefs including Philippe Etchebest, offers inventive cuisine built around ancestral techniques such as smoking or lactofermentation.

The setting is full of charm and on sunny days, don't forget to stroll on the terrace offering a superb view of the Gartempe.

Also observe the astonishing XNUMXth century crenellated tower^th century of the site, an element necessary for first hydraulic lift invented by its tenant at the time, Léon Edoux. This invention made it possible until 1983 to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Continue your walk…

In addition to offering you an exceptional heritage, the Abbey of Saint-Savin invites you to discover its natural side. Located on the banks of the Gartempe River, you will find many trails to explore near the town and the abbey. Strolling along ou By Bike . To spice up your outing, enjoy a descent in canoeing , from a walk on horseback or Tèrra Aventura ! 

Not far from there, also opt for the City of Writing and Book Trades of Montmorillon or, the Medieval City of Chauvigny and its many family activities.