Palais Saint-Pierre, Benedictine abbey in Place des Terreaux, Lyon, France
Palais Saint-Pierre is a former Benedictine abbey on Place des Terreaux featuring a classical stone facade designed by architect François Royers de la Valfenière in the 17th century. The elongated building complex contains multiple wings and a large interior courtyard that gives the ensemble scale and organization.
The abbey was mentioned as early as 810 and initially housed 32 Benedictine nuns, though its community grew to over 40 within two decades. Following the French Revolution, it ceased to function as a religious institution and took on a new purpose.
The building takes its name from Saint Peter and became a museum of fine arts after the French Revolution. It now houses art collections spanning different periods, reflecting the spiritual heritage of the site.
The site sits directly on Place des Terreaux, a central public square that is easy to reach and surrounded by other attractions. The building has extensive interior spaces, so allow sufficient time for a thorough visit.
The baroque refectory, completed in 1684, represents a showpiece of baroque architecture in Lyon and still displays artworks connected to this ornate space. Its elaborate decoration and rich embellishments set it apart from the rest of the complex.
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