A renovated former monastic farm housing an interpretation centre with 650m² of exhibition space: displays on the monks’ daily life; links between the Abbaye d’Aulps and the Savoie; the unexpected story of its final destruction; and medicinal plants
The Aulps Abbey was founded at the end of the 11th century in the heart of the Chablais pre-Alps, at an altitude of 800m. The monks who lived there were encouraged to join the Cistercian Order in 1136. Before long, the abbey became one of the most powerful monasteries in medieval Savoy. The church was largely destroyed in 1823 and until 1998 the grounds were used for farming.
The Aulps Abbey's 3-hectare estate houses the church facade and ruins, the cellars, gardens, porch and above all the renovated monastic farm, which opened in 2007 and houses the Visitors' Discovery Centre. This centre - unique in France - gives a vivid idea of the daily routine of monks living in a mountain abbey in the Middle Ages.
The abbey's gardens are also a focus for visitors, with a flourishing botanical garden (herbularius) and a vegetable patch (hortus).
Reservations required for groups.
Read more
Tips
MULTI PASS ACTIVITY | Unlimited access on presentation of the Multi Pass (for pedestrians only)
Access via the D902 from Thonon-les-bains (20 km)
Access via the D902 from Cluses (33 km)
Coach service from Thonon or Cluses (Sté SAT 04 50 71 85 55)
Balad'Aulps Bus" shuttle stop at the Abbey during the winter and summer seasons