Saint-Germain abbey

History
Iconic Place
Museum
Place of Worship

Romane

Published on 20/11/2025

This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Auxerre, In the Footsteps of Cadet Roussel

Behind the tower stands a historic building well worth a closer look. This abbey is one of the must-see landmarks in Auxerre and offers a deep dive into the city’s rich history as the cultural capital of Burgundy.

Once a vibrant city during the Roman era, Auxerre became the home of several bishops in the 5th century, with the most famous being Saint-Germain. He was tasked with evangelising the residents and built a small oratory here, in the heart of the city. After his death, his body was brought back to Auxerre and buried in that oratory.

A century later, Queen Clotilde, the second wife of Clovis, built a proper monastery to replace the oratory, giving it the size and grandeur fitting of Saint-Germain, who was considered the city’s founder. However, the abbey you see today isn’t the same one from back then.

The original monastery was destroyed in the 9th century, and a new one was constructed during the reign of Charles the Bald. All that remains from that era are the crypts, built around the tomb of Saint-Germain, and a few foundations. The crypts are even open for guided tours. Visitors can step back in time and admire exceptional murals, some of the oldest in France. The abbey was restored in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, with the addition of the Saint-Jean Bell Tower.

In the 13th century it was renovated in the Gothic style, though the Romanesque façade remained intact until 1812. After that, the Saint-Jean Bell Tower was separated from the abbey, but it was once an integral part of its façade. The Saint-Germain Abbey has undergone several restorations over the centuries, but it still stands as one of Auxerre’s most iconic landmarks, with crypts dating back to the 9th century, a tower from the 12th century, and a fascinating mix of Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture.

Its captivating history is tied to Saint-Germain, the city’s founder. For those wanting to learn more, the Museum of Art and History inside the abbey offers an even deeper insight into the story of Auxerre!