Hautecombe Abbey: Discover an Exceptional Place
Located on the western shore of Lake Bourget in Savoie, not far from Aix-les-Bains,Hautecombe Abbey is one of the region’s historical and artistic gems. Since its founding, it has been home to successive generations of monks and has established itself as a place of pilgrimage and contemplation. You can tour the abbey year-round, except during the summer season.
History of Hautecombe Abbey
Hautecombe Abbey was founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks with the support of the Counts of Savoy. Thanks to its prime location, it quickly became a major spiritual center in the region and was continuously inhabited by a religious community. During the 14th century, the abbey became the burial ground of the House of Savoy. Many princes and members of the royal family were buried there, which further enhanced its importance and renown.
After enjoying a golden age that lasted four centuries, the abbey suffered turmoil during the French Revolution. The abbey’s various buildings lay in ruins. But they were saved by Charles-Félix, King of Sardinia, who ruled Savoy in the early 19th century.
Since then,Hautecombe Abbey has flourished, once again becoming a place where the faithful gather. The Chemin Neuf community also settled there in 1992.
Art at Hautecombe Abbey
The architecture ofHautecombe Abbey is a testament to the Piedmontese architect Ernesto Melano’s mastery of the Neo-Gothic style. He was commissioned to rebuildthe abbey church after the destruction it suffered during the French Revolution. The sculpted decorations and added ornamentation have breathed new life into the church.
As you exploreHautecombe Abbey, keep your eyes open and take in all the treasures the place has to offer: statues, paintings, and frescoes. Among the paintings hanging in the abbey, you’ll discover scenes from the Bible (such as The Beheading of Saint John or The Lactation of Saint Bernard). The abbey’s frescoes date from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. The colorful stained-glass windows, meanwhile, lend the space an atmosphere of contemplation and serenity.
Finally, explore the Necropolis, where the recumbent statues and funerary monuments of the House of Savoy are true sculptural masterpieces. They bear witness to the abbey’s central role in the lives and deaths of the princes.
The Chemin Neuf Community
During your visit to Hautecombe Abbey in Savoie, get to know the Chemin Neuf Community, which arrived in 1992 thanks to the Abbot and the Archbishop of Chambéry. Today, this community atHautecombe Abbey is made up of about thirty brothers and sisters who represent a variety of faiths (Protestant Christians, Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and others).
Different Tour Options at Hautecombe Abbey
To explore this exceptional site during your stay in Savoie, you can choose between an audio-guided tour or a guided tour ofHautecombe Abbey.
Guided Tour of the Abbey
The guided tour of Hautecombe Abbey invites you to discover the history, architecture, and hidden treasures of this religious building in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. You’ll have the chance to explore the gardens, theMarie-Christine Tower, as well as the reception rooms of the royal apartments and the King’s Terrace.
Tour duration: 1 hour
Tour times (except Mondays and Tuesdays during the summer season): 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Audio-guided tour of the church
The audio tour, on the other hand, lets you explore thechurch on your own. The 30-minute tour is available in 8 languages and has even been adapted for children ages 8 to 13. With this audio guide, you’ll learn more about the history, architecture, and spiritual life ofHautecombe Abbey.
Tour duration: 30 minutes
Hours (except Mondays and Tuesdays / summer season): 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Abbey Gift Shop
If you’d like to cherish this experience atHautecombe Abbey in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes forever, a gift shop is available on site. It features candles and icons hand-decorated by the members of the Chemin Neuf Community. You can also find other religious items and regional products there.
How to get to Hautecombe Abbey?
There are several ways to reachHautecombe Abbey and begin your tour of this exceptional site. You can drive there (it’s near Annecy and Aix-les-Bains). But you can also reach the church by boat from Aix-les-Bains on Lake Bourget or from Chanaz, also on Lake Bourget. Boat docks are available to take you to this historic landmark.
Would you like to book a vacation in Savoie to exploreHautecombe Abbey and the magnificent Lake Bourget? Our campground in Savoie, Camping des 3 Lacs, offers cozy rental accommodations and campsites in southeastern France. During your week-long vacation, in addition to visiting the abbey—including its church, abbey church, chapel, and the history of its monastery—you can also explore the region (Lyon, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry, and more).
