In the Middle Ages, the abbey church of Saint-Gilles was the 4th most important place of pilgrimage in the Christian world, after Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela!
Abbey of Saint-Gilles
Built in the late 12th century, the abbey church is a true architectural gem. Once a popular destination for pilgrims from all over the world, it is now listed as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France"series.
Take time to admire its sculpted façade, an authentic masterpiece of Romanesque art. It features a frieze dedicated to the Passion of Christ.
Discover the monumental crypt, a veritable lower church. Exceptional for its size and the quality of its vaults, it still contains the tomb of Saint Gilles.
L’Abbatiale de Saint-Gilles du Gard fait partie du Club des Sites Touristiques du Gard, un réseau qui réunit 48 lieux emblématiques du territoire gardois.
Dès l’achat de votre première entrée dans un site partenaire, gardez votre ticket : il vous permet de bénéficier de réductions ou d’avantages dans d’autres sites participants. Achetez votre entrée sur place, conservez votre ticket, puis présentez le à l’accueil d’un autre site du Club pour profiter de votre offre.
Saint-Gilles spiral staircase
Parfaitement conservé dans l’ancien chœur de l’abbatiale, cet escalier, dit « Vis de Saint–Gilles », est un chef d’œuvre architectural de l’époque médiévale.
Sa structure caractéristique hélicoïdale et voutée est une prouesse de stéréotomie remarquable, réalisée par les tailleurs de pierre du Moyen âge.
Encore aujourd’hui, la Vis de Saint-Gilles demeure une étape incontournable pour les compagnons tailleurs de pierre.
Porte des Maréchaux de Saint-Gilles
Built in the early 12th century, the Porte des Maréchaux was one of seven gates leading into the fortified enclosure of the town of Saint-Gilles in the Gard department.
It was later integrated into the new 14th-century enclosure.
Visit the Romanesque houses!
Built of quality ashlar, these beautiful medieval homes feature first floors with large doors. Their upper floors are lit by twin windows linked by moldings and friezes that cross the façade. Most are covered by imposing lintels topped by relieving arches.
Château d'Espeyran de Saint-Gilles
Situated 5km from the town, Château d'Espeyran is nestled in a superb 13-hectare park. Formerly the summer residence of the Abbés de Saint-Gilles, it became an elegant residential château in the 19th century.
Listed as a Historical Monument, it houses a large furnished residence reflecting the lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century bourgeois family.
Above all, the Château d'Espeyran is the largest microfilm and digital image conservation site in the national and territorial network of the Archives de France.
Our Guide's anecdote!
Legend has it that Saint Gilles lived as a hermit in a forest not far from here, where he tamed a doe.
During a hunting trip, one of the Visigoth king's men, named Flavius Wamba, shot an arrow at the animal, wounding the hermit. To make amends, the king gave him the town's territory to found an abbey, of which Gilles became abbot.
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Saint-Gilles Tourist Office
5 Place de la République
30800 Saint-GillesTel. 04 66 58 38 00
Opening hours
Du 1er novembre au 31 mars
Du lundi au vendredi :
De 9h00 à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 18h00
Du 1er avril au 31 octobre
Du lundi au samedi :
De 9h00 à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 18h30
Le bureau d'accueil est fermé les jours fériés.
