Abbaye de Sixt, Medieval abbey in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, France.
The Abbaye de Sixt is a former monastery near the Giffre River displaying Gothic architectural styles from multiple building phases. The structures reveal different layers through their windows, vaults, and walls dating to various periods.
The monastery was founded in 1144 under Ponce de Faucigny and followed Benedictine traditions in the region. Over centuries it became an important center of monastic life in the high mountains.
The name references an ancient river crossing that once connected pilgrimage routes through the valley. Today visitors can read this history in the abbey's layout and how its structures relate to the surrounding landscape.
The abbey is located on Place du Tilleul with parking available nearby for visitors. You can walk around the exterior freely and take in the architectural details at your own pace.
After the French Revolution the monastery became an inn run by the Cochet family who made it the region's main lodging house. This repurposing allowed the building to survive and maintain its structures through a completely different use.
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