This monastic complex, located outside the fortifications, was founded by Queen Clotilde in the 5th century. Necropolis of the bishops of Auxerre, the abbey was at the height of its fame in the ninth century when it housed the prestigious school of Auxerre, which was one of the centres of the Carolingian Renaissance. This monument is witness to sixteen centuries of the history of Auxerre. Although composite, it offers an architectural ensemble of great interest. Its Carolingian crypts of the 9th century, built around the tomb of Saint Germain (378 – 448) are decorated with murals remarkable for their condition and age given that they are the oldest in France.
The abbey church is Gothic in style. In its fore-nave and part of the nave, which were demolished in the nineteenth century, were found interesting remains such as sarcophagi dating from the sixth to the ninth century. The chapter room is from the 12th century, the cellar from the 14th century, the classical style cloister was rebuilt in the 17th century.
The 12th century tower of Saint Jean overlooks the buildings with its imposing spire of convex eight-sided stone.
Visite guidée
