i 🏛️ Heritage & castles
Abbeys and pilgrimage sites in the Grand Est
The Grand Est has a spiritual landscape of rare richness: the hilltop sanctuary of Mont Sainte-Odile, 753 m up above the Alsace plain; the great Cistercian foundations of St Bernard in the Aube and Haute-Marne; and the former royal abbey of Saint-Remi in Reims, a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the cathedral. Depending on where you go, you will find a sanctuary still alive with prayer, a monument steeped in history or a reinvented site, such as Auberive, now a contemporary art centre. Most of these places took on new lives after the French Revolution, and it is often this story that makes the visit so fascinating.
To choose, first ask yourself what you are looking for. Contemplation and nature? Mont Sainte-Odile is free to visit all year, with trails around the sanctuary. History? Clairvaux, founded in 1115 and turned into a prison in 1808, can only be seen on a guided tour. Art? Saint-Mihiel holds two major works by Ligier Richier, while Auberive hosts exhibitions in summer. Champagne? At Hautvillers, the abbey church contains the tomb of Dom Pérignon. Always check opening periods: some sites close in winter, others open only in the warmer months.
How to choose?
If you are travelling with the family
Free access, a panorama and short walks at Mont Sainte-Odile; at Domrémy, the story of Joan of Arc captures children’s imaginations.
If you love history
Clairvaux tells the story of seven centuries of monastic life and two centuries as a prison; Saint-Remi is linked to the coronation ritual of the French kings.
If you love art
Ligier Richier’s Swooning of the Virgin and his Entombment (Sépulcre) at Saint-Mihiel, and contemporary art in summer at Auberive.
If you are visiting without a car or on a budget
Saint-Remi can be reached by bus from central Reims and is free to visit; Hautvillers is 6 km from Épernay station.
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Sainte-Odile📍 Bas-Rhin (67) | All year (pilgrimage site open at all times) | Half a day for the sanctuary and a short walk; a full day with the Mur Païen loop | All ages; forest paths for walkers | By car via Obernai or Ottrott, car park at the summit; nearest SNCF station: Obernai |
| Clairvaux Abbey📍 Aube (10) | Early February to the eve of the Christmas holidays; winter closure from 21 December 2026 to 2 February 2027 | 1 hr 30 for the general tour; 2 hr 30 to 3 hr for the extended tour | Families welcome; punishment block not recommended for under-11s | Ville-sous-la-Ferté, 15 km from Bar-sur-Aube and 75 km from Troyes; parking within the walls |
| Basilica of Saint-Remi📍 Marne (51) | All year round (place of worship); guided tours according to the tourist office calendar | 45 min self-guided; 1 hr 30 min on a guided tour | All ages; lovers of Romanesque art and the history of the Frankish kings | Buses 4, 6, 11, 40 and City Bus, “St Remi” stop; about 2 km south of the cathedral |
| Auberive Abbey📍 Haute-Marne (52) | 7 June to 27 September 2026, Tuesday to Sunday; out of season, occasional openings or by appointment | 1–2 hrs, depending on whether you also visit the art centre | History and art lovers; dogs on leads welcome except in the art centre | A31 exit 6 Langres Sud, then 13 km; Langres station 25 km away (taxi or Linggo on-demand transport); free car park |
| Saint-Mihiel📍 Meuse (55) | All year round; the long days from April to September make exploring on foot easier | Half a day for the two churches and the old town; a full day with the library | Art and history lovers, families, Meuse à vélo cyclists | By car: D964 between Verdun and Commercy; Lérouville TER station 13 km away; coach shuttle to Meuse TGV station |
| Hautvillers📍 Marne (51) | All year round; the vineyards are liveliest from spring to the grape harvest | 2 hours for the village and church; a full day with a walk and tastings | All ages; sloping lanes | 6 km from Épernay (SNCF station); A4 exit 23 towards Épernay; Jard Kiedrich car park |
| Domrémy-la-Pucelle (Joan of Arc)📍 Vosges (88) | Birthplace site open from February to mid-December (closed on Tuesdays except in July and August) | About 2 hours for the birthplace and the centre; add time for the basilica | All ages, school groups and families | By car, in the Meuse valley near Neufchâteau; free car park on site, 2 rue de la Basilique |
Map: Abbeys and pilgrimage sites in the Grand Est
When to go?
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayPeak season
- JunPeak season
- JulPeak season
- AugPeak season
- SeptPeak season
- OctPossible
- NovPossible
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 Spring and summer are the easiest seasons: every site is open and the surroundings are ideal for walking. In winter, head for places open all year, such as Mont Sainte-Odile or the Basilica of Saint-Remi.
Tips & insider advice
- Respect times of prayer
Several of these places are still active sanctuaries; avoid visiting during Mass and keep your voice down.
- Check seasonal opening
Clairvaux closes in winter and Auberive opens mainly from June to September: check the official opening times before setting off.
- Book the guided tour
At Clairvaux, visits are by guided tour only; at Saint-Remi, guided tours follow the tourist office’s calendar.
- Wear good shoes
At Mont Sainte-Odile, forest trails lead to sights such as the Pagan Wall (Mur païen); at Hautvillers, the lanes are steep.
- Stay for lunch
Mont Sainte-Odile has a restaurant and guest accommodation: book on its official website.
- Combine two neighbouring sites
Clairvaux and Auberive are two of St Bernard’s foundations in southern Champagne; Hautvillers pairs well with a visit to Épernay.
Frequently asked questions
Which abbey should I visit in the Grand Est?
For history, Clairvaux Abbey (Aube), founded by St Bernard in 1115 and turned into a prison in 1808, is a place apart. In Reims, the former Abbey of Saint-Remi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the cathedral. In Haute-Marne, Auberive Abbey combines Cistercian heritage with contemporary art.
Can you visit Clairvaux Abbey on your own?
No: the abbey can only be seen on a guided tour, run by the association Renaissance de l’Abbaye de Clairvaux. It is open from early February until the day before the Christmas school holidays. Allow 1.5 hours for the general tour and 2.5 to 3 hours for the extended tour.
Is Mont Sainte-Odile open all year?
Yes, the sanctuary is a pilgrimage site that is always open, and admission is free. You drive up via Obernai or Ottrott, with a car park at the top. Meals and accommodation are charged and can be booked on the official website.
Where is Dom Pérignon’s tomb?
In the church of the former abbey of Hautvillers, near Épernay, where the monk worked. The church is free to visit; allow 2 hours for the village and church, 6 km from Épernay station.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.
Sources consulted (7)
- mont-sainte-odile.com/lieu-de-pelerinage
- abbayedeclairvaux.com
- abbayedeclairvaux.com/presentation-de-clairvaux/histoire-de-clairvaux
- whc.unesco.org/en/list/601
- abbaye-auberive.com
- guide-tourisme-france.com/VISITER/eglise-saint-michel--saint-mihiel-30799.htm
- lonelyplanet.com/france/hautvillers/attractions/eglise-abbatiale/a/poi-sig/1192389/359235