Benedictine Abbey of Ambronay

  • Historic site and monument
  • Historic patrimony
  • Religious heritage
  • Tower
  • Sun dial
  • Fresco/wall painting
  • Well
  • Abbey
  • Chapel
  • Cloister
  • Convent
  • Monastery
  • Religious site
  • Bell tower
  • listed
  • Gothic
  • Roman
  • 11th C
  • 13th C
  • 15th C
  • 17th C
  • 18th C
  • 20th C
  • Classified
Elevation : 264m
Place de l'Abbaye, 01500 Ambronay
1000 years of history are waiting for you to visit ! The abbey can be visited freely throughout the year and is open daily. There are guided tours available in French and English. Take a dive in History !
Ambronay Abbey was founded in the early 9th century by St Bernard de Romans and was home to a community of Benedictine monks until the French Revolution. The abbey is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with some of its buildings dating between the 11th and 15th centuries. Today the abbey is a centre for early classical and religious music and is well known for its annual baroque music festival which takes place during September and October.

During the early Middle Ages, Ambronay Abbey was self-governing, answering only to Rome. From 1282 onwards, it fell under the protection of the Dukes of Savoy. The abbey became involved in the border disputes between the Dukes and the King of France. This resulted in the abbey being heavily fortified. Today one can discover the Dauphine Tower, the Archives Tower, Saint Jacques and Saint Catherine’s Chapel and the cloister which houses a magnificent renaissance staircase. One can also see the chapter room and the sacristy which were central to monastic life.

The abbey is home to the Ambronay Cultural Centre which promotes religious and baroque music, with several concerts taking place throughout the year.

Guided tour upon request
Audio guide at your disposal
  • Tips
    Free historical information leaflet available outside the Centre Culturel de Rencontre.
    A birthday party at the Abbey for 5- to 11-year-olds.
    Children spend a fun and educational afternoon doing activities on the site.

    1 visit with digital tablet or 1 guided tour or 1 workshop offered with the Pass Découverte de l'Ain

Services

Services

Toilets
Car park
Meeting room
Animals accepted
Wifi

Accessibility

Accessibility

Mental disability
Visual disability
Not accessible in a wheelchair
Reserved space 330 cm wide < 100 m from the site
WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
Possibility of drop-off in front of the site

Rates

Rates

Free access.

Payment methods

Payment methods

Payment methods

CheckCheck
CashCash
Bank/credit cardBank/credit card
Travellers ChequeTravellers Cheque
Online paymentOnline payment
Contactless paymentContactless payment

Groups (Max capacity)

Groups (Max capacity)
  • 105 Maximum number of people

Audience

Audience

  • Minimum age (in years) : 5

Openings

Openings

Monday
09:00 - 16:00

Tuesday
09:00 - 16:00

Wednesday
09:00 - 16:00

Thursday
09:00 - 16:00

Friday
09:00 - 16:00

Saturday
09:00 - 16:00

Sunday
09:00 - 16:00

Monday
09:00 - 18:00

Tuesday
09:00 - 18:00

Wednesday
09:00 - 18:00

Thursday
09:00 - 18:00

Friday
09:00 - 18:00

Saturday
09:00 - 18:00

Sunday
09:00 - 18:00

Monday
09:00 - 16:00

Tuesday
09:00 - 16:00

Wednesday
09:00 - 16:00

Thursday
09:00 - 16:00

Friday
09:00 - 16:00

Saturday
09:00 - 16:00

Sunday
09:00 - 16:00

Location

Location

Benedictine Abbey of Ambronay
Elevation : 264m
Place de l'Abbaye, 01500 Ambronay

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • English
  • French

Environment

Environment
  • Close to a motorway
  • Close to a trunk road
  • 10 - 20 min from an SNCF station by electric bike
  • In the country
  • Village centre
  • Lake 5 km away
  • Less than 10 minutes from a train station by car

Access

Access
  • D36
    Motorway A42, exit n°10 Ambérieu-en-Bugey
Updated on 18 October 2025 at 15:55
by Plaine de l'Ain Tourisme
(Offer identifier : 103385)
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