Southern Burgundy Romanesque ChurchesSaint-Philibert Abbey

The origins of Abbey of Saint-Philibert date to the 2nd century and the tome built for Saint-Valerian, who evangelized Tournus during the years 177-179 and was martyred for his efforts. His followers build a tome for his remains in Tournus on the banks of the Saône River. Over the centuries that tome was built on and became a church then a Abbey. Originally the Abbey at Tournus was dedicated to Saint-Valerian. That changed when in the 9th century a group of wondering Philibertian monks arrived, bringing with them the relics of Saint-Philibert. Both the relics of Saint-Philibert and Saint-Valerian can be found in the Abbey church today. The relics of Saint-Philibert can be found behind the altar and those of Saint-Valerian in the crypt, the believed location of the original tome of Saint-Valerian.

Today the church of the Abbey of Saint-Philibert is the crown jewel of the over 40 Romanesque churches in the Saône et Loire department. The church at Cluny, about 10 miles away was once the largest church in the world but it was mostly destroyed during the French revolution.

Saint-Philibert Abbey is located off the A6 Autoroute - exit Tournus about three hours from Paris. Saint-Philibert Abbey is open to the public, no admission charged.