Basilique de Vézelay
Basilique de Vézelay
4.5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,208 reviews
Excellent
811
Very good
320
Average
59
Poor
14
Terrible
4
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Euzebe L
Paris, France77 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
There are places that it is absolutely forbidden not to appreciate or risk passing for a low ceiling, less than nothing, a barbarian! Mont Saint Michel, Avignon, Versailles, the chapel of Ronchamp du Corbusier: I pass because the list would be long...These places have in common to attract in crowds tourists, not necessarily very motivated and even less cultured, who flock there because you must go, because you must have seen it. Vézelay is one of those high places where the spirit blows, where reigns the absolute beauty that we are not allowed to contest.
I admit that it was in this spirit that I made my first visit to Vézelay about twenty years ago. But the visit had left me a little cold and, to be frank, deeply annoyed.
To correct this unfortunate and culpable Impression I went back, I started again a painful hunt for the parking space, then a gruelling ascent of the steeply sloping alleys lined with shops each duller than the other and restaurants where you drank an hour before you were taken care of. And I saw the wonder again... Bof, bof, and rebof! A big Romanesque church, a little decorated, not naughty, but commonplace: I find a good fifty identical in the provinces of France. Simply what differentiates it from the others is that it aroused the admiration of a few “peoples” of the past centuries, some of whom chose to be buried in Vézelay with ease...
A little bonus to finish: this picture of a perfectly failed restoration. It’s cooked strawberry, it’s like a confectionery, it’s trickling with nonsense.
I admit that it was in this spirit that I made my first visit to Vézelay about twenty years ago. But the visit had left me a little cold and, to be frank, deeply annoyed.
To correct this unfortunate and culpable Impression I went back, I started again a painful hunt for the parking space, then a gruelling ascent of the steeply sloping alleys lined with shops each duller than the other and restaurants where you drank an hour before you were taken care of. And I saw the wonder again... Bof, bof, and rebof! A big Romanesque church, a little decorated, not naughty, but commonplace: I find a good fifty identical in the provinces of France. Simply what differentiates it from the others is that it aroused the admiration of a few “peoples” of the past centuries, some of whom chose to be buried in Vézelay with ease...
A little bonus to finish: this picture of a perfectly failed restoration. It’s cooked strawberry, it’s like a confectionery, it’s trickling with nonsense.
Automatically translated
Written August 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
malo272014
Auch City, France415 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This high place of Christianity is unmissable. Starting point of the crusades in the Middle Ages, pilgrimage passage. The Romanesque basilica, sober but majestic, contains in its crypt relics of Saint Mary Magdalene (free access to the crypt) we continued with a stroll in the village of Vezelay along the streets and alleys to see.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leo v
Gouda, The Netherlands467 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
The pilgrimage site of Vézelay is a pearl in Burgundy. Located high up, the town offers many nice and often artistic shops, beautiful buildings and pleasant restaurants. An unprecedented highlight is the enormously long Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine. An impressive basilica with crypt in Romanesque and Gothic style. The Benedictine monastery was founded as early as 860 AD. founded.
Written October 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AFV66
United States123 contributions
Jun 2020
A beautiful scenery over the countryside and the natural parc of Morvan on the large terrace outside the Basilic. However, we were disappointed by the inside of the basilique which is apparently going through renovation. Most of the interesting pieces seem to have been removed except for the crypt where you could still see reliques form Marie-Magdeleine.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
publiussulla
Seattle, WA291 contributions
Apr 2022
This place is up on the hill and was a bit of a hike to get up to and enjoy. But once you are on the top of the hill the church is a site to behold. Lots of history here and a major pilgrimage site on the Compostela journey. The church is free to get into and we spent a couple hours here reading the informative signs on the walls and taking pics and a fair bit of walking around. Very enjoyable place to visit if history and architecture are things you enjoy.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarieElora
Auxerre, France158 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
A beautiful visit always very pleasant to do in mid season. You meet very friendly people, without stepping on each other. You can visit quite easily on your own, if you wish.
Either way, we enjoy the good airwaves of the place.
Either way, we enjoy the good airwaves of the place.
Automatically translated
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ko M
Wemeldinge, The Netherlands107 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Visited the abbey during our holiday in the Morvan. The abbey is being cleaned and looks lovely again. Not too busy, were able to look everywhere we wanted without the rush of having to move on. Friendly staff, free entry and nice. Maybe more for the real knowlegable people but that is more my problem. Beautiful surroundings and splendid view from the hill over the surrounding hills.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paty759420
694 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Beautiful and always more beautiful. Located at the top of the hill of Vézelay called the eternal hill and immortalized by Bernard Buffet a few years ago. It remains majestic. A few years ago we could access it by car but it is no longer possible. Now you have to climb the hill on foot and it is not super easy. But what a reward when you finally get there
Automatically translated
Written August 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stéphane L
Paris, France531 contributions
The sacred hill is to be seen from miles around with world famous Unesco heritage basilica Ste Madeleine.
Though not catholics ourselves, my wife and me felt privileged to walk in the alleys of this highly spiritual and beautifull as well as restfull place.
We certainly would recommend to start the visit of the basilica with a) a short (3/4 h)visit to "La Maison du visiteur" : where a talented welsh man invites you to understand the cosmic vision of the early architects of the basilica as well as the many symbols hiding behind both the curch plan and columns. "From shade to light": a real must that is worth the 7 EUR we paid each.
b) followed by a guided visit under Les soeurs de la Fraternité de Jerusalem's patronage...Were we chancefull? Anyhow, rarely have we had such a wonderfull visit with so funny and rich comments by a very cultivated guide. She happened to be a nun but held fascinating universal comments that appeal to anybody whether Christian or not. She certainly helped us to better understand what this was all about in medieval times and then along its rich and dramatic history to date.
Don't walk along alone and miss both thses privileged experiences as it gives you an entirely diffrent vision of this fascinating monument you can afterwards visit quietly for your own.
Just take a warm pull over with you as we almost died by freeze and hardly understood how the sister could walk with sandals without socks...a miracle by its own...
Though not catholics ourselves, my wife and me felt privileged to walk in the alleys of this highly spiritual and beautifull as well as restfull place.
We certainly would recommend to start the visit of the basilica with a) a short (3/4 h)visit to "La Maison du visiteur" : where a talented welsh man invites you to understand the cosmic vision of the early architects of the basilica as well as the many symbols hiding behind both the curch plan and columns. "From shade to light": a real must that is worth the 7 EUR we paid each.
b) followed by a guided visit under Les soeurs de la Fraternité de Jerusalem's patronage...Were we chancefull? Anyhow, rarely have we had such a wonderfull visit with so funny and rich comments by a very cultivated guide. She happened to be a nun but held fascinating universal comments that appeal to anybody whether Christian or not. She certainly helped us to better understand what this was all about in medieval times and then along its rich and dramatic history to date.
Don't walk along alone and miss both thses privileged experiences as it gives you an entirely diffrent vision of this fascinating monument you can afterwards visit quietly for your own.
Just take a warm pull over with you as we almost died by freeze and hardly understood how the sister could walk with sandals without socks...a miracle by its own...
Written March 31, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NateHall
Winnipeg, Canada78 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Driving from Paris to the Alps we were looking for an interesting place to stop and see the countryside and have lunch. Decided to check out this town because the Basilica was highly regarded. Totally unplanned visit before we left for France but turned out to be one of the best surprises. The whole town is super cute and quaint. It is situated on the top of a hill and it has the Basilica right at the peak. Basically one main road with a few hotels, several shops and pubs/restaurants. We explored them all and the were great.
The basilica itself is breathtaking. As impressive as Sacre Coure in my opinion. Totally worth the visit. Not far off the main highway. We all wished we were spending a day or two in this town and area so we could explore more closely this beautiful countryside. Definitely would recommend for those looking for a short but interesting stop.
The basilica itself is breathtaking. As impressive as Sacre Coure in my opinion. Totally worth the visit. Not far off the main highway. We all wished we were spending a day or two in this town and area so we could explore more closely this beautiful countryside. Definitely would recommend for those looking for a short but interesting stop.
Written December 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to make a day trip to Vezelay from Paris
Any suggestions?
If we take train to Avallon is it easy to get transportation back and forth from the town
Written September 9, 2018
Hi, I think you would need to get a taxi as Vezelay is about 10 min or so by car along country lanes. No idea of the price, but vezelay is worth almost any price. Once there it is a steep walk up the hill but the taxi could even take you up to the side of the square.
hope that helps and good luck
Written September 10, 2018
Where is the most convenient parking? Thanks!
Written June 21, 2018
There is plenty of affordable parking at the bottom of the hill, all within easy walking distance of La Basilique. When you get to Vezelay, you can't miss all the areas to park and you can pay with cash or card.
Written June 21, 2018
I would like to do a day trip from Cannes, France. (Cruising the Mediterranean) Are you able to suggest a private car that is at the ship by 0930 and could have us back by 1700? Thanks.
Je voudrais faire une excursion d'une journée de Cannes, France. (Croisière sur la Méditerranée) Pouvez-vous suggérer une voiture privée qui est à bord du navire avant 0930 et nous aurait de retour vers 1700? Merci.
Written November 29, 2016
Unfortunately it's at least a 7 hour drive from Cannes to Vezelay. Even going by train to Dijon and then hiring a car, it's just not possible in a day, let alone within the time you have available.
If you're interested in romanesque churches you'd be better off going to the Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms in Avignon. Only a couple of hours drive and Avignon is also a very lovely city, full of history.
Written December 16, 2016
Hi,
How can I get there from Cannes on a day trip?
Written November 29, 2016
Vezelay is not easy to get to without a car, and it's a long way from Cannes. A TGV train to Dijon and then hire a car would be about the only way to do it, and even then you would spend most of the day travelling. The surrounding area is worth a visit so I would say book into one of the lovely country hotels and enjoy a couple of days in this very beautiful part of the country.
Written November 30, 2016
Do I need to pay any entrance fees or its free of charge?
Written May 10, 2016
We expect to visit on a Saturday all day and on Sunday morning. What times are the masses? Do the choirs sing at particular times?
Written March 21, 2016
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