St-André-le-Bas Church, Vienne, France

The abbey of Saint-Andre-le-Bas was founded in the 8th century by Duke Ansemund. The church was originally a chapel of the palace of kings of Burgundy built in the end of the 9th century. The abbey flourished in the High Middle Ages.

The troubles of the Hundred Years' War and the competition of the new religious orders reduced the power of the convent and it was unable to recover from the Wars of religion. The monastery was dissolved in the late 18th century. The abbey church, built in the 11th century, became a parish church and the convent buildings were sold and partly dismembered. The church, the bell tower and the cloister are still remarkable for their harmonious Romanesque sculpted ornementation.

User Reviews

nath malin (5 months ago)
Musée intéressant pour la découverte de la ville !!

Loud 06 (5 months ago)
Petit musée, petit prix, petit Cloître...

Jean-Louis Gustin (22 months ago)
We visited the Cloister Saint André le Bas de Vienne which is part of the sites of the group visit of the monuments of the city. It is a very beautiful Roman cloister built in the 12th century, perfectly restored. As the presentation document that will be given to you very well says, the Romanesque architecture and sculpted decoration testify both to the survival of the ancient models for the Corinthian capitals of the gallery, and to the medieval imagery of the fantastic bestiary for the capitals presented under the gallery on columns placed along the south wall. The cloister garden is now planted with simple and medicinal plants, as it should be. It is absolutely perfect. In the neighboring chapter hall, there is an exhibition on the use of water from the river, which manages it, which joins the Rhône close to the Cloister.

Edouard Capdexai (2 years ago)
Superb small, but original, exhibitions with varied themes. Saving means and surprising result. To be continued !

Dylan Rey (2 years ago)
Really nice place to go!

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