Fleury Abbey
Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, France
A great Romanesque abbey church with a carved porch tower, still home to a community of Benedictine monks. Visitors may listen to the sung offices.
Fleury Abbey in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire was founded around 640. According to tradition, monks brought the relics of St Benedict here from Monte Cassino around 672; the monks of Monte Cassino dispute this. After a fire in 1026 the present Romanesque basilica was built. The porch tower, built between 1004 and 1030, has capitals showing mainly scenes from the Apocalypse, regarded as the first figurative capitals of French Romanesque art. The relics lie in the crypt, which has a double ambulatory.
A monastic community has again lived on the site since 1944. You can visit the church and crypt; the monastery and workshops are closed to visitors, though the monks’ bookshop is open. According to the tourist office the church is open throughout the day, with services taking priority; guided tours run only in high season, so ask about times in advance (as of October 2026). A guidebook allows a little over an hour for a visit.
- Nearest town
- Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.8099, 2.3050
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Le PortCampsite1 km from Fleury AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping de la MaltournéeCampsite7 km from Fleury Abbey · 175 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping l'Étang des BoisCampsite13 km from Fleury AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Aire de camping-car de Saint-Denis-de-l'HôtelMotorhome stopover16 km from Fleury Abbey · 12 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Étang De La ValléeCampsite17 km from Fleury AbbeyCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping municipal du DonjonCampsite22 km from Fleury Abbey · 38 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fleury Abbey?
Fleury Abbey is in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, France, at GPS 47.8099, 2.3050. It is about 28 km from Gien.
Can you camp near Fleury Abbey?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Le Port, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fleury Abbey?
Fleury Abbey is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Upper Loire: canal bridges and Sancerre wine.
What is there to see near Fleury Abbey?
Places worth a stop nearby: Briare canal bridge (37 km), Château de Chambord (63 km), Guédelon castle (69 km) and Palace of Fontainebleau (72 km).
When is the best time to visit Fleury Abbey?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)