TOURS AND WALKS
Contact Clara to book these private tours, which are available all year round. The tours are for everyone - for individuals, couples, families, friends and groups. Clara will orient the tour to the interests of your group, whether you are pilgrims, tourists, locals, on retreat, or just passing through. Clara loves to make her tours interesting, informative and fun.
Tour prices depend on the number of participants. Click HERE for the price list.
Basilica of St Mary Magdalene
Discovery Tour
75 minutes or 2 hours
Whether this is your first visit to Vézelay or you are returning here, experience the extraordinary presence of the Basilica. There is always more to discover! This tour combines history, spirituality, art and sculpture, architecture, sacred symbolism and pilgrimage.
Basilica of St Mary Magdalene and Vézelay Town
2 hours
A 1-hour exploration of the picturesque medieval town of Vézelay, winding our way gently uphill towards the Basilica, discovering backstreets and alleys off the main tourist path. Followed by a 1-hour guided tour of the Basilica.
Alternatively this tour can begin with 1 hour in the Basilica and end with a 1-hour exploration of the town, walking gently downhill.
Basilica of St Mary Magdalene and Franciscan Hermitage of La Cordelle
2 hours
A 75-minute tour of the Basilica followed by a walk down through the town ramparts and trees to a 12th-13th century Franciscan hermitage. St Francis of Assisi himself sent two brothers to establish a presence in Vézelay in the year 1217, and there are still Franciscan brothers here today.
Themed Basilica Tours
90 minutes or 2 hours
The Mary Magdalene Connection
Discover the legends of Mary Magdalene's arrival and life in Gaul (France) after the resurrection of Yeshua. Hear the stories of how and why her body was brought to Vézelay over one thousand years ago. Explore the symbols and images of Mary Magdalene in the Basilica, and the stories behind them. Feel the sacredness of the crypt where her relics are still kept and honoured. 90 minutes After the tour in the Basilica, visit Mary Magdalene's spring at the bottom of the hill. We walk on paths through the ramparts and down through trees and grapevines. 2 hours
Spiritual Wisdom of the Basilica
Explore some of the deep insights and spiritual wisdom held in the sculptures and architecture of the Basilica. This is universal wisdom that is expressed through light and through symbols from the Christian and other traditions, and yet it goes beyond all religions and speaks to the heart. Powerful, unexpected and beautiful! 90 minutes or 2 hours
The Egyptian Connection
Discover the fascinating links between the Basilica at Vézelay, the world of ancient Egypt, the early Christian monks of the Egyptian deserts, and the Egyptian understanding of the spiritual journey. Hear the stories from Egypt that are written into the sculptures and architecture of the Basilica. Understand the deep meaning of the most important images in the Basilica. 90 minutes or 2 hours
Building with Sunlight
Find out how the builders used sunlight as an essential construction material!
Medieval Pilgrimage
Follow in the footsteps of those who visited Vézelay 900 years ago.
The Path to Inner Unity
Discover how the stages of the spiritual journey are written into the stones and light in the Basilica.
Crusades and the Medieval World
Kings, queens, crusaders and medieval life.
Masterpieces of Romanesque Art
Explore some of the extraordinary, multi-layered, 900-year-old sculptures in the Basilica.
Customized Basilica Tour
90 minutes or 2 hours
Enjoy a tour of the Basilica at Vézelay that is oriented towards your own interests: art, sculpture, spirituality, history, sacred symbolism, architecture, the Christian tradition, pilgrimage, the medieval world, the crusades, Mary Magdalene, experiencing the Sacred, the inner journey to wholeness.
Clara will create a tour for you that weaves together the themes you have chosen.
Vézelay Town and Medieval Ramparts
2 hours
We start with a walk around the outside of Vézelay's medieval ramparts, stopping to admire the panoramic views and learn about the local area. We continue into the town and discover its picturesque buildings, backstreets and alleys, ending in the square in front of the Basilica.
Pilgrimage Walk from Asquins
2 hours
Walk the medieval pilgrimage path from the church of St James in the neighbouring village of Asquins, across fields and up through woods to the Basilica in Vézelay. This is the beginning of one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostella. It is a beautiful and peaceful way to arrive at the Basilica without going through Vézelay town.
Les Fontaines Salées
Salt Springs
90 minutes
Visit the saltwater springs near Saint Père just south of Vézelay. First discovered in the Stone Age almost 4500 years ago, the waters were used by the Celts for healing and by the Romans who created a spa here. This visit is both outdoors and inside the small archeological museum on site. There is an entrance fee of 6.50€ per adult in addition to the tour price.
All the tours and walks are available from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 7pm, and on Sunday afternoons between 1.30pm and 5.30pm.
When you have chosen your tour, contact me to make a booking. I will be in touch as soon as possible.
If you wish to book a tour for today or tomorrow, please contact me by phone, text or WhatsApp on +33 6 76 84 09 84.
USEFUL LINKS
The website of the Basilica of St Mary Magdalene
The Maison du Visiteur, who offer tours, workshops and films about the Basilica which perfectly complement the tours I give.