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Free access · Summer exhibition
Abbaye de Sixt
Former abbey of regular canons founded in 1144, listed as a Historic Monument. Hosts a free cultural exhibition each summer in the restored abbots' lodge.
Laurent Vriez · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Historic Abbey
Access
Free · Complimentary (summer exhibition)
Duration
1 h – 1 h 30
Best season
June – September (exhibition open)
Parking
Free (village centre)
Dogs
Allowed on leash in outer grounds
Town
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
What is Abbaye de Sixt
The Abbaye de Sixt is a former abbey of regular canons of the order of Saint Augustine, founded in 1144 in the upper Giffre valley. A dependency of the prestigious Abbey of Saint-Maurice d'Agaune in the Valais, it contributed for centuries to permanent human presence in this isolated high mountain area, developing agro-pastoralism and structuring the valley's life.
The abbey complex comprises a 13th-century abbey church, now the parish church dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, an abbots' lodge to the south built between the 12th and 18th centuries, a presbytery and a granary to the east. Closed in 1792 following the French invasion of Savoy, the abbey was sold as national property and later converted into a hotel at the end of the 19th century. The abbots' lodge was acquired by the Haute-Savoie Department in 2000.
Listed as a Historic Monument in 1997, the abbey was the subject of major archaeological research in the 2010s and European restoration (ALCOTRA PHENIX project). Each summer, the abbots' lodge opens its doors for a free thematic exhibition. The church is freely accessible year-round.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Place du Tilleul, 74740 Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval View on map
Coordinates
46.0539° N — 6.7730° E (approximate) View on map
Altitude
720 m
Opening hours
Church: open year-round. Abbots' lodge (exhibition): mid-June to mid-September.Verified 14 May 2026
Admission
Free (summer exhibition and free church visit)Verified 14 May 2026
Parking
Free in the village centre (several spaces near the abbey)
Animals
Allowed on leash in outer grounds; not permitted inside the lodge and church
Accessibility
Partially accessible (ground floor of lodge, church) — upper floors not wheelchair accessible
Visit duration
1 h – 1 h 30 (exhibition + church)
Contact
Haut-Giffre Tourist Office, Sixt-Fer-à-ChevalVerified 14 May 2026
Access
How to get there
By car
From Cluses (30 km, 40 min), take the D902 towards Taninges, then the D907 to Samoëns. Follow the D907 towards Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. The abbey is in the village centre, Place du Tilleul. Free parking nearby.
Open in MapsBy bike
Haut-Giffre Green Way accessible from Samoëns, then shared road D907 (7 km) to Sixt. Moderate elevation gain.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
The abbots' lodge exhibition is open from mid-June to mid-September, the ideal period to visit the entire site. The church is freely accessible year-round, outside religious services. Summer allows you to combine a visit to the abbey with a hike to the Fer-à-Cheval Cirque or the nature reserve. In winter, Sixt village takes on a more peaceful and authentic character, ideal for discovering heritage outside the tourist season.
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Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is admission to Abbaye de Sixt free?
Yes. The summer exhibition in the abbots' lodge and the free visit to the abbey church are complimentary. Paid guided tours may be available by reservation through the Haut-Giffre Tourist Office.
What are the opening hours of Abbaye de Sixt?
The Abbaye de Sixt church is freely accessible year-round outside services. The abbots' lodge hosts a free exhibition from mid-June to mid-September. Exact hours should be confirmed with the Haut-Giffre Tourist Office.
What is there to see at Abbaye de Sixt?
Abbaye de Sixt features a 13th-century church with ribbed vaults and protected treasure, the restored 17th-century abbots' lodge (summer exhibition), over 140 sculpted reused stones from the Romanesque cloister, and the cenotaph of Ponce de Faucigny.
Can you visit Abbaye de Sixt with children?
Yes. Abbaye de Sixt is freely accessible and suitable for families. The summer exhibition sometimes offers educational activities for children. Recommended visit duration: 1 h to 1 h 30.
Where can you park to visit Abbaye de Sixt?
Several free parking spaces in central Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, immediately near Abbaye de Sixt (Place du Tilleul and surroundings). Easy parking outside summer, busier in peak season.
Is Abbaye de Sixt wheelchair accessible?
Partially. The ground floor of the Abbaye de Sixt abbots' lodge and the abbey church are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Upper floors of the lodge are not wheelchair accessible.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication date. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
