Discover Savigny: Abbey history and walking routes

In Savigny, a common thread leads back to the former Abbey of Saint-Martin: its history is connected with the Tour de l’Horloge, a museum collection and the remains visible in the village. There are also two walking routes that take different amounts of time. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it may therefore help to first consider whether you mainly want to explore the abbey’s history or also plan a longer tour through the countryside.

The abbey, the tower and the surviving chapel

Savigny Abbey was founded around the year 1000 and was an important centre of medieval Christianity. The Tour de l’Horloge was built in the 12th century as a ceremonial entrance to the abbey. It had no military function, but symbolised the power of the abbots. The tower can only be visited accompanied by a volunteer from the Savigny, Patrimoine d’hier et de demain association; plan your visit with this condition in mind.

The Chapelle Saint-Léger is also part of the abbey’s history: it is the only religious building belonging to Saint-Martin Abbey to have survived above ground. The chapel is incorporated into a private home and cannot be visited. The surviving structures therefore differ significantly: the tower is accessible only with an escort, while the chapel is not open to visitors.

Sculptures and architecture at the Musée lapidaire

The Musée lapidaire Antoine Coquard houses around a hundred listed sculptures and architectural elements from the former Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Martin. One striking object is a large 12th-century lintel depicting the Last Supper. A lintel is the horizontal structural element above an opening; here, a specific architectural feature is combined with a religious motif. Together, the collection and the tower offer different insights into the abbey: one preserves objects and building elements, while the other recalls the ceremonial entrance and the secular power of the abbots.

Another testament to the local building history is the church in Savigny. The Neo-Gothic building was completed in 1903 and constructed from dressed local stone. The church also houses a 13th-century wooden Madonna and Child from the former abbey. The building date, materials and provenance of the statue offer different perspectives on Savigny’s religious history.

Two walking routes, two time frames

Savigny’s historical walking route is an out-and-back walk of about one kilometre and takes approximately one hour. Information panels and interactive QR codes explain the remains of the former abbey visible in the village. You’ll need a smartphone with a suitable app to scan the QR codes. The route is accessible free of charge every day, year-round; check the details before your visit, as local conditions may change.

If you’re planning a longer tour, consider the “Entre monts et coteaux” circular route. It is 8.5 kilometres long, with 230 metres of elevation gain. The route offers panoramic views across the rural landscape of the Monts et Coteaux du Lyonnais. You can reach the circular route by taking TCL line 285 to the “Savigny – Place Des Rosiers” stop; from there, it is less than a ten-minute walk. The distance and elevation gain help you distinguish this tour from the shorter historical route when planning your time.

A puzzle activity for families

Children and their parents can take part in an abbey-themed treasure hunt in the old village centre. The puzzle activity is suitable for children aged seven and over and takes about an hour. Its duration is similar to that of the historical walking route, but the focus is different: here, the emphasis is on solving the puzzles together. Check the activity details before travelling if you plan to include it in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Haute-Rivoire, Pontcharra-sur-Turdine, Châtillon, Brullioles, Oullins, Solaise, Charbonnières-Les-Bains, Saint-Genis-Laval.

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