--- title: "Abbaye Saint-Germain, Auxerre: Carolingian Crypts and Museum" description: "Carolingian crypts with 9th-century wall paintings, seen on a guided tour, while the abbey and museum are free. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/abbaye-saint-germain-auxerre lang: en updated: 2026-09-30 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/abbaye-saint-germain-auxerre.png --- # Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre (Abbaye Saint-Germain d’Auxerre) > Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre: a great Carolingian abbey whose crypts hold the oldest known wall paintings in France. Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre is in Auxerre (Yonne), 1 h 51 by road (167 km) from Beaune. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours · Private driver from Beaune: €415 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. The abbey of Saint-Germain stands on the edge of the old town of Auxerre, around the tomb of Saint Germain, bishop of the city in the 5th century. Its Carolingian crypts hold wall paintings from the 9th century, among the oldest in France. The abbey buildings also house the town's museum and temporary exhibitions. ## Key facts - Type: Museums - Where: Auxerre · Yonne - Location: 130 km north-west of Beaune · Yonne - Coordinates: 47.8008, 3.5726 - 1 h 51 from Beaune - Allow 1.5 to 2 hours - Auxerre - Nearby: [Saint-Bris](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/saint-bris) - Official website: [abbayesaintgermain.fr](https://www.abbayesaintgermain.fr/) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 51 · 167 km - €415 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) - Or add it to our [long-day wine tour, €880](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/long-day). ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 51 by road (167 km), €415 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History Germain was bishop of Auxerre from 418 until his death in 448. In the 6th century Queen Clotilde, wife of Clovis, rebuilt the church over his tomb in his honour. The abbey reached its height in the 9th century, under the protection of Charles the Bald. Around 815 it counted up to 600 monks and perhaps 5,000 students, and its school, with masters such as Heiric and Remigius, was a leading centre of the Carolingian Renaissance. The crypts were consecrated in 859 and the new church in 865. A great Romanesque nave followed in the 12th century, together with the tower of Saint-Jean, which still stands. After the Revolution the monks were driven out, and the abbey became a military college and then a hospital. Part of the nave and the north tower were demolished in the early 19th century. The town bought the abbey in 1968 to house its museum. ## What you will see The Carolingian crypt, seen only on a guided tour, is the highlight. Around the saint's tomb, painted false architecture frames scenes from the lives of saints, including the stoning of Saint Stephen, painted in the mid-9th century. Above ground, you can walk freely through the Gothic abbey church, the 12th-century chapter house, the 14th-century cellar and the classical cloister. The museum and temporary exhibitions occupy the old monastic buildings. ## Planning your visit Allow an hour and a half to two hours with the crypt tour. Entry to the abbey, museum and exhibitions is free, while the crypt can only be seen with a guide. The abbey is closed on Tuesdays and throughout January. It is a short walk from the cathedral. Please check the official website for opening times and crypt tours. ## Did you know? Saint Germain's fame reached Paris. The church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, beside the Louvre, is named after this 5th-century bishop of Auxerre. ## Around Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre What to combine with Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre on the same day, nearest first. ### Villages - [Saint-Bris](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/saint-bris) (8 km away): Burgundy's Sauvignon village, built over a maze of medieval cellars. - [Irancy](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/irancy) (12 km away): The red wine village of the Yonne, set in a bowl of vines and cherry trees. - [Chablis](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/chablis) (17 km away): Burgundy's northern outpost, where Chardonnay grows on fossil-rich limestone above the river Serein. ### Châteaux - [Château de Maligny](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-maligny) (16 km away): A castle above the Serein north of Chablis, whose name lives on in the Durup family's wines. - [Château Long-Depaquit](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-long-depaquit) (17 km away): An 18th-century château in the heart of Chablis, home of the grand cru La Moutonne. - [Château de Béru](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-beru) (24 km away): A family château above the Chablis vineyards, with a rare sundial and moon dial, and biodynamic wines. ### Things to do - [Saint-Étienne Cathedral, Auxerre (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d’Auxerre)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/cathedrale-saint-etienne-auxerre), 1 km away: A Gothic cathedral above the Yonne, with 13th-century glass and a rare painting of Christ on horseback. - [Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower (Auxerre, tour de l’Horloge et vieille ville)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/auxerre-old-town), 1 km away: Half-timbered streets, a medieval clock that tracks the moon, and church spires above the river Yonne. - [Église Saint-Pierre d’Auxerre](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/eglise-saint-pierre-auxerre) (1 km away): The winegrowers' church of Auxerre, with a flamboyant tower, a classical façade and a Renaissance gateway inspired by Naples. ### Events - **The weekend before Christmas.** · [Marché du Réveillon](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/marche-du-reveillon-saint-bris-le-vineux): A Christmas food market held in the medieval cellars beneath Saint-Bris-le-Vineux. (Christmas · Saint-Bris-le-Vineux) - **A weekend in January, close to the feast of Saint Vincent on 22 January.** · [Saint-Vincent de Chitry](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/saint-vincent-de-chitry): Chitry honours Saint Vincent with a parade, mulled wine for all and a Sunday of tastings. (Tradition · Chitry) - **Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 May 2027 (Confirmed by the organiser)** · [Fleurs de Vigne](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/fleurs-de-vigne-auxerre): The wine festival of the Yonne, held on the Auxerre quays as the vines come into flower. (Wine festival · Auxerre) - **A long weekend in late August.** · [Rues Barrées](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/rues-barrees-auxerre): Three days of free street theatre, circus and dance in the old streets of Auxerre. (Culture · Auxerre) ### Guides about Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre - [A Chablis day trip from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/guides/chablis-day-trip-from-beaune) ## Questions about Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre ### How far is Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre from Beaune? Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre is about 1 h 51 from Beaune by road (167 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €415 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre take? For the visit, allow 1.5 to 2 hours. ### When is Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (abbayesaintgermain.fr) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Long-day wine tour, €880](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/long-day) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:germain): €415 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - - --- Canonical page: