--- title: "Tour Saint-Nicolas: How to Visit and What to See" description: "Facing the town hall, the Tour Saint-Nicolas is what remains of the old parish church of Paray-le-Monial, built in the 1530s." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/tour-saint-nicolas-paray-le-monial lang: en updated: 2026-10-08 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/tour-saint-nicolas-paray-le-monial.png --- # Tour Saint-Nicolas > Tour Saint-Nicolas: the tower of a 16th-century parish church that became a prison, a town hall and an exhibition hall. Tour Saint-Nicolas is in Paray-le-Monial (Saône-et-Loire), 1 h 19 by road (109 km) from Beaune. Allow 15 to 30 minutes · Private driver from Beaune: €285 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Facing the town hall, the Tour Saint-Nicolas is what remains of the old parish church of Paray-le-Monial, built in the 1530s. Its tall square tower, topped by a dome and a lantern, is one of the landmarks of the town centre. Today the former church hosts temporary exhibitions. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Paray-le-Monial · Saône-et-Loire - Location: 85 km south-west of Beaune · Saône-et-Loire - Coordinates: 46.4523, 4.1204 - 1 h 19 from Beaune - Allow 15 to 30 minutes - Paray-le-Monial - Official website: [tourisme-paraylemonial.fr](https://www.tourisme-paraylemonial.fr/le-coeur-de-ville/tour-saint-nicolas-PCUBOU071V500MSM.html) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 19 · 109 km - €285 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 19 by road (109 km), €285 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 While the monks prayed in their priory church, today's basilica, the people of Paray had their own parish church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It was built in the 1530s and consecrated in 1535, and its massive bell tower followed in a later building campaign. A corbelled turret on the gable carries the date 1658. At the Revolution the monks' church became the parish church, and Saint-Nicolas was closed to worship. It served in turn as a prison, a guardhouse and the town hall, until the council moved across the square into the Renaissance house of Pierre Jayet in the 1850s. Part of the church was then pulled down to widen the road, and what remains has been listed as a historic monument since 1950. ## What you will see Walk round the building to see how the tower rises above the shortened church, from its plain lower storeys to the belfry, the dome and the lantern on top. Look for the corbelled turret on the gable, dated 1658. When an exhibition is on, step inside the former nave, where artists and local associations show their work under the old vaults. From the foot of the tower, the carved façade of the town hall fills the other side of the square. ## Planning your visit The tower can be seen from the square at any time. The inside opens only during temporary exhibitions, and entry is then free. Allow 15 minutes, or longer when an exhibition is on. It faces the town hall, so the two are best seen together on a walk between the basilica and the Musée du Hiéron. ## Did you know? Closed to worship at the Revolution, Saint-Nicolas never became a church again: the people of Paray took over the monks' church, now the basilica, as their parish church. ## Around Tour Saint-Nicolas What to combine with Tour Saint-Nicolas on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Château de Digoine](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-digoine) (11 km away): The pearl of the Charolais, an 18th-century château with a small private theatre, rose garden and landscaped park. - [Château de Chaumont](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-chaumont-la-guiche) (24 km away): Home of the La Guiche family since 1416, with one of the largest private stables in France. ### Things to do - [Hôtel de ville de Paray-le-Monial (Maison Jayet)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/hotel-de-ville-paray-le-monial-maison-jayet), 1 km away: A cloth merchant's Renaissance house, its façade covered with carved medallions, now the town hall. - [Chapelle de la Visitation (Chapelle des Apparitions)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/chapelle-de-la-visitation-paray-le-monial), 1 km away: The convent chapel where Margaret Mary Alacoque saw Christ show his heart, and where her relics lie. - [Musée du Hiéron](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-du-hieron-paray-le-monial) (1 km away): One of the first buildings in France designed as a museum, with an iron-framed hall and a Romanesque portal inside. ### Restaurants - [Maison Doucet](https://www.cote-privee.com/restaurants/maison-doucet-charolles) (12 km away · 2 MICHELIN stars): A second star in 2026 for Frédéric Doucet's tribute to the Charolais country. ## Questions about Tour Saint-Nicolas ### How far is Tour Saint-Nicolas from Beaune? Tour Saint-Nicolas is about 1 h 19 from Beaune by road (109 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €285 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Tour Saint-Nicolas take? For the visit, allow 15 to 30 minutes. ### When is Tour Saint-Nicolas open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (tourisme-paraylemonial.fr) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Tour Saint-Nicolas? 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. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:paraysaintnicolas): €285 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - --- Canonical page: