1,229 years, to be exact. Because when it comes to this kind of masterpiece, every detail counts. This abbey was indeed founded in 797, at the time when Charlemagne was about to be crowned in Rome. Had he already invented school, as the song tells us? Let’s ask the stones of Ambronay Abbey if they can shed some light on the matter…
The treasure of Ambronay Abbey, classified as a historic monument since 1889
Indeed, between Cluny, the Monastery of Brou, and the cloister of Salles-Arbuissonnas…the area around Lyon is dotted with millennia-old masterpieces. And here is Ambronay Abbey, which, given the year it was built, stands out as a true veteran. Just imagine— its foundations date back to 797! It’s no coincidence that the abbey was quickly designated a historic monument as early as 1889.
Summarizing 1,200 years of history in a few lines would be quite presumptuous, especially in such symbolic places. But it’s more a matter of realizing that these stones have witnessed the entire Middle Ages, the French Revolution, and the centuries that followed—all equally rich in twists and turns. We even learn that the abbey ceased its monastic activities in the 18th century to become, in turn, a prison, a barn, a hospice… A true jack-of-all-trades, this Lady Ambronay!
AlthoughGothic in style, the abbey features sections dating from the 10th, 13th, and 15th centuries. As we journey through the ages, we glimpse the influences of each era. The abbey church was built in the 13th century on the ruins of the original church, while the magnificent cloister was constructed in the 15th century.
Ambronay and its music festival
What better way to pay tribute to these beautiful stones than through music? Every autumn for nearly 50 years now, Ambronay has hosted its early music festival in the exceptional setting of its abbey. Is early music old-fashioned? Think again—and certainly not in this thousand-year-old setting. The world’s greatest musicians in this field are waiting just for you to prove you wrong. Emotions that remind us of the magic of the Candlelight concerts at the Basilica of Fourvière and the Chapel of the Trinity in Lyon.
