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 numerous architectural and functional modifications. There are no vaults here, but a flat ceiling covering the entire nave and apse. Surprisingly, there is a kitchen at the back of the chapel... the chapel was used as a kitchen after the secularisation of the abbey in the mid-18th century. The Notre-Dame-Des-Morts chapel is now home to a museographic space that traces 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 painting representing Christ in Majesty accompanied by the Tetramorph (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 led to archaeological research in the basement of the former abbey palace.

The public service also accompanies the museum's programme as closely as possible to the public: storytelling walks, shows, etc.
For more information: 03 84 38 12 60 or contact.musee@hautjurasaintclaude.fr
Programme available on the website www.museedelabbaye.fr

Practical information

Entrance ticket valid for the whole day

Opening hours
- January 2023, the museum will be open on weekends from 2pm to 6pm
- From February 1st, the museum will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 6pm (groups on reservation 10am-12pm / 2pm-6pm)
- From 1 July to 31 August: every day from 10am to 6pm (groups on reservation 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 underground.
Price: 3€.