Moissac Cloister

This is the oldest historiated cloister in the West, and one of the best preserved from the Romanesque period. It’s famous for the variety and richness of its sculpted decoration, spread over 8 pillars and 76 capitals, all different. Many of them are “historiated” (tell stories), and the episodes depicted,(…)

This is the oldest historiated cloister in the West, and one of the best preserved from the Romanesque period. It’s famous for the variety and richness of its sculpted decoration, spread over 8 pillars and 76 capitals, all different. Many of them are “historiated” (tell stories), and the episodes depicted, whether biblical or from the lives of saints, transport us into the cultural universe of the late 11th century. Beauty is also to be found in the details: intertwined birds, palmettes, rosettes and plant scrolls, whose profusion and diversity help to create a harmonious whole.
Pilgrims, you can’t leave your bag inside the abbey. The Maison des Pèlerins, 70m away, has lockers available from May to the end of September. Lockers are also available at the cloister entrance (ask for keys at the cloister reception desk).
Guided tour daily at 2.30pm – additional times in season.