Abbaye impériale de Baume-les-Messieurs

The Imperial Abbey, a must-see site in Baume-les-Messieurs in the Jura, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
Founded in the 6th century, the building enlarged by Bernon at the end of the 9th century became a famous abbey from where the founding monks of Cluny left.
The development of the abbey of Baume les Messieurs began in the 11th century.
In the 12th century, the abbey took the title of "imperial abbey".
In 1147, Baume was subjected to the authority of Cluny. It is from this moment that its decline begins. At the end of the 18th century, the last monks were converted into secular canons. During the revolution, the monks left the abbey and part of it was privatized.
Today, this Benedictine abbey offers an impressive architectural ensemble, some elements of which are typical of the early Jura Romanesque art.
The abbey church of Saint-Pierre dates from the 11th century and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1849.

A Cluniac site...
The European Federation of Cluniac Sites aims to bring together the places in Europe that contributed to the extraordinary influence of the Abbey of Cluny (southern Burgundy) from the 10th to the 18th century: spiritual, artistic, economic, political and social influence. The monks of Cluny were responsible for the emergence of hundreds of towns and cities. The network of Cluniac sites is a major cultural itinerary of the Council of Europe, of which Baume-les-Messieurs Abbey is a part.
For more information on the Cluniac sites: www.sitesclunisiens.org and www.clunypedia.org

Guided tours from 1/04 to 30/09.

Provisional departures for guided tours (subject to last-minute changes):

10:15 / 11:00 / 14:15 / 15:15 / 16:15 / 17:00 (updated on 27/05/2021)
Free visits all year round (access to the outside courtyards / the abbey church may be closed out of season)

Summer period: illumination of the abbey. Guided and commented tours: 45 minutes.
Departure from the guide's office at the entrance to the abbey.
Out of season: guided tours by reservation only for groups.

Take advantage of our passport and benefit from a reduced rate for visits to the caves and abbey!
- Adults: 13 € / pers
- Children from 6 to 12 years old : 6 € / pers
- Adult group (minimum 15 people): 11 € / pers.

Contact : 03 84 44 99 28 in high season and 03 84 44 61 41 in low season.


Infos Covid-19 : usual opening hours. Respect of the protection measures
Audioguides and guide maps. Guided tours will resume soon.