Vézelay Basilica - Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem
.webp)
In the heart of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the brothers and sisters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem welcome you at the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Basilica.
For centuries, this major site for spiritual retreat and pilgrimage has attracted those seeking peace, beauty, and inner depth.
Retreats organized by the community
Vézelay and the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Basilica
Around the year 858, a community of nuns settled in Saint-Père, at the foot of the hill of Vézelay. Threatened by insecurity, they were soon replaced by a community of monks, who eventually moved to the top of the hill to protect themselves from Norman invasions.
A first abbey church was then built there.
Around 1050, the monks claimed to have received from Provence the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene. This event caused an immense influx of pilgrims and made Vézelay one of the great spiritual centers of medieval Western Christianity.
From the 13th century onward, the abbey declined, weakened by crises, wars, and the discovery of other relics. The French Revolution dispersed the last monks in 1790 and led to the sale of the buildings as national property.
In 1840, while the basilica lay in ruins, the State entrusted its restoration to Viollet-le-Duc, who restored it to its former splendor.
The return of a community in 1876 made it possible to reestablish prayer and the welcoming of pilgrims.
Since 1979, the basilica has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, as a masterpiece of Romanesque art and a major site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Since 1993, the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem have animated the sanctuary through liturgy, hospitality, Christian retreats, and spiritual visits.
Today, Vézelay remains an essential spiritual site, visited each year by nearly one million people: pilgrims, art lovers, and simple seekers of meaning.
The communities of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem in Vézelay
Founded in Paris in 1975, the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem bring together a community of brothers and a community of sisters who wish to offer "spiritual oases" in the heart of the world.
Their mission is to be a sign of God's presence in daily life.
In Vézelay, the brothers and sisters gather three times a day in the basilica to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist. Their polyphonic singing, inspired by Eastern and Western traditions, expresses their desire to walk together in the footsteps of Christ.
They work closely with the rector and with laypeople to animate the sanctuary through:
- welcoming visitors at the basilica,
- the guest house,
- the shop "La Pierre d'Angle",
- spiritual visits,
- spiritual guidance,
- retreats and formation programs.
What to expect during your stay
Spiritual retreats offered in Vézelay
The Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem offer different formats of spiritual retreat for students, young professionals, or adults:
- Stays of 2 to 6 days, individual or in groups.
- Accommodation in one of the three guest houses in the village: Saint-Bernard, Sainte-Madeleine, or Béthanie.
- Participation in divine offices, lectio divina times, thematic teachings, fraternal sharing, and personal moments of silence.
- Opportunity to meet with a brother or sister.
- Optional participation in simple services (gardening, cooking, maintenance, etc.).
These retreats are part of the great spiritual path that runs through the village, particularly the Way of Saint James (Santiago de Compostela).
Monastic hospitality and accommodations in Vézelay
The three guest houses in the village offer simple, warm, and suitable accommodations:
- Individual, double, or shared rooms depending on availability.
- Oratory and chapel for personal prayer.
- Gardens for relaxation, meditation, or contemplating the surrounding landscapes.
- Direct access to hiking trails: vineyards, Way of Assisi, Morvan paths.
- Meals taken in a spirit of simplicity and sharing.
Geography and activities
Vézelay: Geography, nature, and spiritual environment
Located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, Vézelay is a wine-growing village overlooking the Morvan Regional Natural Park (Parc naturel régional du Morvan), a preserved area known for its rich fauna and flora.
The basilica and the hill are classified as UNESCO World Heritage, and the town marks one of the main starting points for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
At the foot of the hill is also the hermitage of La Cordelle (1217), the first Franciscan foundation in France, from which a 1,500 km path leads to Assisi.
Places of interest around Vézelay
On foot or by car, many sites are worth a visit:
- The villages of Saint-Père and Asquins, offering exceptional views of the basilica.
- The Benedictine abbey of La Pierre-Qui-Vire (18 miles away).
- The Morvan Regional Natural Park (Parc naturel régional du Morvan) and its many trails.
Practical information
Discover more locations
