The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Burgundy, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Espace Bernadette, where lies the intact body of Bernadette Soubirous will welcome you in the ancient convent where she lived for 13 years as a sister of Charity of Nevers. You will discover a highly renowned shrine visited each year by almost 200 000 pilgrims from all over the world. Surrounded by a 4 ha park, located right in the town centre of Nevers, Espace Bernadette provides accommodation, meals and activities for a stay or a time of retreat.

The Basilica and the relics of St. Mary Magdalene have made and continue to make of Vezelay a major spiritual destination. Vezelay has for centuries captured the imagination of people. Not only is the Basilica Church of St. Mary Magdalene a beacon for Christianity, it is also a place of major importance in history and in art history. It has as such recently been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Vezelay was originally a monastic church, which it is now again while remaining a pilgrimage place. It has also been a parish church for some two centuries. The Basilica is a highly praised spiritual and tourist destination for all alike: believers, pilgrims or visitors.

The Abbey of Fontenay was founded by Saint Bernard in 1118. It is one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in Europe. The Romanesque architecture offers a remarkable unity to all buildings remained intact since the Middle Ages. The Abbey was transformed into a paper mill after the French Revolution by the family Montgolfier and was bought back in 1906 by Edouard Aynard, the ancestor of the present owners who continue on safeguarding this masterpiece of Romanesque art. The old Abbey of Fontenay (12th century) was one of the first monuments to be inscribed on the Unesco world heritage list. This classification has distinguished the exceptional value of Fontenay and its environment. Free Parking and gift shop. Until 1/11/2020, Fontenay Abbey is open every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular guided tours will take place only on weekends in French. From 02/11/2020 to 18/12/2020, only the week-end from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and free tour only.

Considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art, this abbey church was built in 1007 and features a crypt containing sculptures dating from the eleventh century.

Regarded as the first of the great Gothic cathedrals, its construction began in 1130. At the same period, catholic buildings were still designed according to Norman architecture. The architect of Sens applied a revolutionary design for the vaulting: the ribbed vault. Then, the Saint-Stephen's Cathedral has known successive developments ("flamboyant" Gothic transept for instance) but has kept a beautiful unit. Our tips: don't miss the unique and popular lightshow "Lumieres de Sens" from mid-June to mid-September! This is an amazing introduction to a detailed visit of the st Gothic Cathedral. Opened everyday of the year from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Guiding tours (during the summer) and outlets available at the Tourist Office.

Serving as the seat of the ecclesiastical court, this structure was built by Gautier Cornut, archbishop of Direction, sometime between 1230 and 1240.