Aulps Abbey

Aulps Abbey is the ruined remains of a former Cistercian monastery standing at 810 metres above sea level in the village of Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, in the Aulps valley of Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps. It sits just 7 km from Morzine, 25 km from Thonon-les-Bains and 60 km from Geneva, making it an easy stop for anyone based in the Portes du Soleil ski and hiking area.

When was the abbey founded?

Monks arriving from the abbey of Molesme in Burgundy established the community around 1094, drawn to the valley by the Counts of Savoy who granted them the land. Their original aim was a stricter, more eremitic way of life than the one practised at their mother house. In 1136 the community formally joined the Cistercian order, a move that set it on course to become one of the region's leading monasteries.

How powerful did the abbey become?

Construction of the abbey church began around 1150 and the building was consecrated by the Bishop of Geneva in 1212. Over the following centuries the monastery grew into one of the most important religious institutions in medieval Savoy. By the close of the 14th century it controlled roughly 30,000 hectares of land and held lordship rights over the people and territory of the entire Dranse de Morzine valley — giving the monks real economic and administrative authority over the surrounding countryside.

Why did it fall into ruin?

Decline set in from 1468, when the abbey came under the commendam system: from then on, cardinals or noblemen connected to the House of Savoy were appointed as abbots and drew off the monastery's income, leaving the resident monks with barely any resources of their own. Following the arrival of French revolutionary troops in 1792, the abbey was suppressed and sold off as national property. The final blow came after a fire destroyed the village's parish church in 1823: despite objections, villagers dismantled the abbey buildings stone by stone to rebuild their own church. Even so, the striking 13th-century west front survived and remains the most recognisable feature of the ruins today.

What survives on site today?

The French state purchased the ruins on 6 August 1902 and, only two months later, on 6 October 1902, listed the abbey church as a historic monument. A further turning point came in 1994, when the local association of Aulps valley communes acquired the site, enabling archaeological excavations and the restoration of the old monastic farm buildings. Since 2007, the restored farm has housed an interpretation centre dedicated to the daily life of the Cistercian monks who once lived here.

Who visits, and how do you get there?

Thanks to its proximity to the well-known ski resorts of Morzine and Avoriaz, both part of the extensive Portes du Soleil area, the abbey ruins draw visitors year-round — a quiet counterpoint to a day on the slopes or on the region's hiking trails. The calm mountain setting of the Aulps valley, combined with genuine medieval architecture, offers a change of pace from the busier, sport-focused resorts nearby.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Aulps Abbey? The monastery was founded around 1094 and formally joined the Cistercian order in 1136.

Is the abbey still intact? No — most of the buildings were dismantled for stone during the 19th century, but the imposing 13th-century church façade survives, along with the partly restored monastic farm.

How far is it from Morzine and Avoriaz? Morzine is about 7 km away, and Avoriaz sits within the same Portes du Soleil ski area, making the abbey a convenient side trip for winter sports visitors.

Is there a museum on site? Yes — since 2007 the restored farm buildings have hosted an interpretation centre (Domaine de découverte de la vallée d'Aulps) covering the abbey's history and the everyday life of its Cistercian monks.