Located in the restored former abbey palace (11th-18th centuries), the basement of the Abbey Museum houses the last visible remains of the powerful Benedictine abbey of Saint-Claude, which has now disappeared. Among these remains are two funerary chapels: the Notre-Dame-Des-Morts chapel and the Claude Venet chapel.

The Notre-Dame-Des-Morts chapel
The Notre-Dame-Des-Morts chapel and its vestibule were built in the second half of the 12th century. This chapel has undergone a number of architectural and functional changes. Instead of a vaulted ceiling, it has a flat ceiling covering the entire nave and apse. Surprisingly, there is a kitchen at the back of the chapel, which was used as a kitchen after the abbey was secularised in the mid-18th century. The Notre-Dame-Des-Morts chapel is now home to a museum retracing the history of the abbey. An amazing place to discover.

The Claude Venet chapel:
This funerary chapel was commissioned by the cantor (who leads the monks' choir) Claude Venet in 1478, to house his tomb. The tomb is still visible, buried in the centre of the apse. A magnificent mural depicting Christ in Majesty accompanied by the Tetramorph (an animal representation of the 4 evangelists) occupies the entire vault of the apse. It was the discovery of this mural in the early 1990s that prompted archaeological research in the basement of the former abbey palace.

The visitors' service also provides support for the museum's programming, including storytelling walks and shows.
For further information: 03 84 38 12 60 or contact.musee@hautjurasaintclaude.fr
The programme can be viewed on the website www.museedelabbaye.fr

Practical information

Entrance ticket valid all day

Opening times
- From 1 February, the museum will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm (groups by prior arrangement, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm).
- 1 July to 31 August: daily from 10am to 6pm (groups by prior arrangement: 10am-12pm / 2pm-6pm)

Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 1 November & 24, 25 and 31 December

NEW :

Educational booklet "In the footsteps of Saint-Claude Abbey" to discover the secrets of the archaeological subsoil.
Price: €3