Musée de l'abbaye de Gellone

About the museum

The abbey museum occupies the former refectory of the monks of the Gellone abbey, in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. It was created in 2009 from the former stone depot, which held 124 pieces that had remained on site. Its aim is to convey some of the magic of the Romanesque cloister, one of the finest of its time.

This cloister had an extraordinary fate. Abandoned and reduced to fragments in the 19th century, it was sold, dismantled and dispersed among several French and American collections. The most important part is today in the Cloisters museum in New York. The abbey was listed as a historic monument as early as 1840 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

The stone collection covers the major periods: two late antique sarcophagi reused as reliquaries, including the so-called “de Guilhem” sarcophagus (4th century), elements of Carolingian liturgical furnishings, and Romanesque and Gothic sculpture. Two reconstructions based on archaeological elements, one of them of five Romanesque arcades, give an idea of the proportions of the cloister; they were made using 3D digitisation. Two films complete the visit: “Les voyages du cloître” and “Cloisters, l'odyssée des cloîtres.”

Highlights

• Late antique sarcophagi, including the so-called “de Guilhem” (4th century)
• Reconstruction of five Romanesque arcades of the cloister, made using 3D digitisation
• Elements of a Carolingian chancel screen and Romanesque and Gothic sculptures
• Tomb of the abbey's founder, William, Duke of Aquitaine
• Film “Les voyages du cloître” (17 minutes), shown on a continuous loop

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection lapidaire de l'abbaye de Gellone – Late antique sarcophagi, Carolingian elements and Romanesque and Gothic sculptures, with two reconstructions of the cloister made from archaeological fragments.
• Films sur le cloître – “Les voyages du cloître,” shown on a continuous loop, and “Cloisters, l'odyssée des cloîtres,” a 3D restitution of the cloister galleries.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Commune de Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The Hérault Tourisme listing states free admission; the town hall's page does not mention a price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Hérault Tourisme listing mentions facilities for people with disabilities, without further detail.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway A75, exit Gignac, about 15 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Gift shop and screening room (according to the Hérault Tourisme listing). The film “Les voyages du cloître” lasts 17 minutes and plays on a continuous loop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit