Notre Dame d'Aulps abbey

A crossroads for the great spiritual ideas of the late 11th century, a meeting place for saints and a crucible for monastic reform, it was from the abbey of Molesme in Burgundy that a group of monks set off around 1094. Their destination? A small possession of the Counts of Savoy: the Vallée d'Aulps (Vallée des Alpages in Latin), with the aim of founding a monastery in line with their spiritual ideal: "a laboratory of monasticism", as it were, more clearly oriented towards eremitism than cenobitism. Thanks to numerous land donations, the monastery became one of the most powerful in medieval Savoy. Since summer 2007, the restored and transformed former monastic farmhouse has been home to an interpretation center. A remarkable scenography, completely renovated in November 2020, allows visitors to discover in a simple and entertaining way the daily life of monks in the Middle Ages, their functions within the community, the relationship between Aulps Abbey and Savoie, the surprising story of its destruction and the secrets of medicinal plants.

Opening hours

From 01/01 to 31/03.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st.

From 01/04 to 14/06 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on May 1st.

From 15/06 to 15/09, daily between 10 am and 7 pm.

From 16/09 to 30/09 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.

From 01/10 to 31/10 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.

From 15/12 to 31/12 between 2 pm and 6.30 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on bank holidays.

Age

Rates

Adult: 7 €
Child : 3.50 €
Group adults: 5.60 €
Group children : 2.80 €.

Free entry for children < 6 years.
Child entry valid for 6 - 16 years.
Group rate available for > 20 people.

Languages

English
French

Tips

Découverte nocturne, jeux de rôle, divers ateliers à thèmes sont proposés tout au long de l'année.

Reservation

Notre Dame d'Aulps abbey

Founded in about 1095 by monks that came from the Molesne abbey in Burgundy, the abbey affiliated itself to the Cistercians in 1136 after which it became one of the most powerful in medieval Savoie due its income from property rights.

961 route de l'Abbaye 74430

Payments

  • Bank/credit card
  • Check
  • Travellers Cheque
  • Cash

Cycling trip: ascent to Avoriaz south via Morzine

The wide road to Avoriaz is very steep, but the views are wonderful the whole way. This climb has featured in the Tour de France on seven occasions.

Cycling route: Col de Joux-Plane nord

Although this is the easier side of the pass, the gradient is still very steep. The lake after the Col de Ranfolly provides a beautiful climax to the climb.