An exceptional historical site

Founded at the beginning of the ninth century on the ruins of an older church by Barnard, an officer in Charlemagne's court, the monastery of Ambronay faithfully followed the Benedictine rule for three centuries.

In 1282, under the protection of the count of Savoy, the abbey enclosure and its protective moat, as well as the eastern part with its two towers and its living quarters, were constructed.

In 1595, on the orders of Henry IV, the Dauphine tower was razed and the living quarters  partially destroyed.

After two centuries of neglect, the Abbey was attached to the congregation of Saint-Maur; the maurist monks rebuilt the monastery buildings and replaced a part of the fortifications with other buildings

During the French Revolution, the monks were scattered, the buildings served as a prison and were then  divided up and sold.

However this was not end the story of the Abbey.

In 1889 the classification of the church as an historic monument signalled the start of a period of protection and renovation.