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General Information
Description
When you travel in France, one of the places to see is the Abbey of Cluny. It is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Cluny, department of Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy (Bourgogne) region, northwest of Mâcon in France. It was built in the Romanesque style in 910 AD by the order of Duke William the Pious of Aquitaine who appointed Berno as the first abbot and placed the Abbey under command of Pope Sergius III.
The Abbey of Cluny was built in three stages. Abbot Berno, the first abbot of Cluny, began construction of the abbey in 910 AD. Cluny was completed under his successor Odo and dedicated before 927 AD. In 963 AD, the fourth abbot of Cluny, Maïeul, started building Cluny II in order to replace the previous building which became too small for the growing monastery. The Abbey church was consecrated in 981 AD. The construction of Cluny III began in 1080 under Abbot Hugh of Semur. In 1095, Pope Urban II devoted its main altar and 3 chapels in the middle of the yard of Cluny Abbey. The construction was finished and consecrated by Pope Innocent II in 1131.
For about three centuries the Abbey remained the largest religious building in the West. It was 555 feet long (187 meters) and covered 25 acres. The Abbey building was shaped as the archbishop's cross - double transepts and double aisles led to the nave and choir. The bell tower of the holy water crowned the South transept, the bell tower of Bisan - the North , and the tower of the choir, the largest, crowned the center of the cross. The ceiling under the central tower was 119 feet (36 meters) high. It was an amazing construction by its size and outstanding significance. Its church was the largest in Christian world until Saint Peter Basilica was rebuilt in Rome in the 16th century.
The Abbey of Cluny became the richest and the most influential monastic institution from the second half of the 10th century through the early 12th. In the Christian world it came the second only after Rome. At that time, it controlled about 1100 priories and monasteries all over Europe. A number of abbots of Cluny were well educated and competent statesmen on an international arena which made the Benedictine order a key player in helping to achieve stability in Europe in the 11th century.
Nowadays the great Abbey of Cluny is ruined. But just looking at the ruins you can see the size and glory it had in the past. The Abbey was destroyed and looted by the mobs during the French Revolution in 1790 and till 1813 the ruins served as a stone quarry for new constructions. Only a small part of the original building remains - ruins of the main southern transept and a bell tower. On the site you can see the 15th century abbots' residences and 18th century convent buildings with gardens.
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What Makes It Special
Rich in deeds tightly intertwining with the history of France and Europe, Cluny Abbey or The Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, France represented the heart of Benedictine movement in the Middle Ages. A number of outstanding abbots governed the Abbey of Cluny during three centuries since the construction of the monastery - the men whose experience and competence in politic had left a deep mark on the history of Europe. The Abbey evolved as an institution of learning and a training and the Alma mater for popes. (Gregory VII (Hildebrand), Urban II, Paschal II, and Urban V, were called from their monastic life to rule the Catholic Church).
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Directions To Destination
By train:
- From Paris you can reach the closest town to Cluny Beaune by train. It is about 2.5 hour trip with the costs from $45. The trains depart very often but reservations are required in France. You can start making reservations within 90 days of your travel date.
By car:
- Travelling by car can give you freedom of visiting other sites of attraction in close proximity. If you are not in a hurry and can afford to spend some time in jams while leaving Paris, the car will be the best way to travel to Cluny. From Paris to Cluny Abbey you can take rout A6 - about 262.2 miles (422 km) which you can cover approximately for 4 hours of driving time.
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Best Time To Go
Where To Stay
We recommend:
- Hotel de Bourgogne - rates from €55 - built in 1817 and located on the site of the former Benedictine Abbey of Cluny
- La Courtine - rates start from €55 - La Courtine is a bed & breakfast located right next to the old town of Cluny.
- The Hostellerie Le Potin Gourmand - rates from €60. Located in the center of Cluny
Research and book hotels in or near Beaune, France
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Activities
Sightseeing. The town of Cluny had grown around the Abbey. You can visit the Ocher Museum dedicated to history of the town and the Abbey.
There are two more places to visit - National Stud Farm of Burgundy where you can see the top racehorses of France. It is located near the site of the Abbey and was built by Napoleon from the materials taken from the monastery ruins. Th second is charity wine auction. It takes place in the Hospices de Beanue in November. The charity auction is famous for setting prices for Burgundy wines all over the world.
Cluny is located between Chalon-sur-Saone and Macon. These two cities are connected to Cluny by Greenway (bike trail built on the old railway line) It attracts many cyclists and hikers.
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Useful Visitor Information and Tips
May - August - opened daily 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
September - April - daily from 9:30 AM - noon and 1:30 PM - 5 PM
The site with Abbot’s palace serves as museum and library, admission fee: €7 for adults
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Additional Information
Tags:
Abbey of Cluny; abbot Berno; Benedictine monastery; Benedictine Order; Burgundy (2); Cluny Abbey; Duke William the Pious of Aquitaine; France (7); National Stud Farm of Burgundy; Romanesque style
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