Abbey of Saint-Roman

The Abbey of Saint-Roman is a monastery carved directly into limestone cliffs above the Rhône River valley. The complex contains numerous rooms, cells, and halls that were all carved from the natural rock face.

Monks established this site in the 10th century, expanding natural caves into a functioning monastery. The community abandoned the location in the 16th century, marking the end of monastic life there.

The abbey reveals how monks carved out their living spaces directly from limestone to create a functioning community. Walking through the cells and gathering halls shows the daily rhythm and practical arrangements of monastic life.

The site sits on a hillside above Beaucaire and is reachable on foot from the town center. Wearing comfortable shoes is important since the climb is steep and interior staircases can be narrow and slippery.

The monastery preserves hundreds of rock-cut tombs on its upper terrace, offering insight into medieval burial practices of the region. These graves reveal how significant this location was as a pilgrimage destination and burial site for people of that era.

Location: Beaucaire

Address: Chemin de l Abbaye de Saint-Roman, 30300 Beaucaire, France

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 14:00-18:30; Saturday, Sunday 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:30

Phone: +33781564451

Website: http://abbaye-saint-roman.com

GPS coordinates: 43.83528,4.61139

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:00