Historic site and monument
in Aiguilhe

Rocher et Chapelle Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe

North of the town of Puy-en-Velay, the town of Aiguilhe is characterized by a Rock (former volcanic chimney) on which stands a surprising and magnificent chapel, dedicated to Saint Michael since the 10th century.
It is a monument, pre-Romanesque and Romanesque, major in Auvergne.
At the suggestion of Mérimée, this building was included on the first list of Historic Monuments in 1840 and obtained the title of 4th “French Favorite Monument” in 2014 and 2022.

The bishop of Puy, Godescalc, and the dean of the chapter of Puy Cathedral, Truannus, were at the origin of the construction of the Chapel dedicated to Saint-Michel in the year 961. Godescalc was also the first French pilgrim around Santiago de Compostela around the year 950, thus opening the “Via Podiensis” of the Chemins de Saint Jacques.
The primitive oratory of this imposing construction is limited to the current choir. It was included in a larger monument, in the XNUMXth century, which hugs the contours of the summit of the Rock. This expansion, without foundations, consists of a nave, an ambulatory and a gallery as well as a remarkable polychrome and trefoil façade.
In the 1955th century, Prosper Mérimée ordered the cleaning of the whitewash covering the frescoes of the Chapel. This work, entrusted to the painter-restorer Anatole Dauvergne, is accompanied by statements. Lately these drawings have made it possible to restore and reveal frescoes which had become illegible. In XNUMX, a treasure was discovered under the altar. It is made up of venerable objects (Romanesque Christ in olive wood, silver pectoral cross, reliquary urn, fabrics and ivory box).

The Rocher Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe site is reinventing itself in order to welcome all audiences. A new fun and interactive space (re)makes you want to come there, to discover the original work from a different perspective.
This new scenography also constitutes a virtual visit and allows you to find yourself in total immersion in the chapel and at the top of the Rock.

Night visits in July and August (consult the days and times and book directly on the Rocher website).
Further information) :
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Meet our partners

An unusual site, a unique silhouette and the emotion of 1000 years of history.
There is something magical about the Rocher Saint-Michel! Between vertigo and serenity, the emotion is strong when you arrive at the top of the 82 m of this volcanic neck.

We speak: English, French

Themes:

  • Historical patrimony
  • Religious Heritage
  • City Village
  • Historic District
  • Sculpture
  • Chapel

Costumed

Average duration of the individual visit: 75 min.
Average duration of the group visit: 75 min.
Minimum group size: 15 people

Language(s) of the visit

English French

Individual visit services

  • Unguided individual tours permanently
  • Guided individual tours on request

Group visit services

  • Unguided group tours permanently
  • Guided group tours on request

Opening

Opening hours from April 01 to June 30, 2025
MondayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
TuesdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
WednesdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
ThursdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
FridayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
Open on SaturdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
SundayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm

Last admission 30 min. before closing time

Opening hours from July 01 to August 31, 2025
MondayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
TuesdayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
WednesdayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
ThursdayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
FridayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
Open on SaturdayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM
SundayOpening hours 09 pm - 19 PM

Night visits on Monday and Thursday from 14/07 to 25/08, by reservation

Opening hours from September 01 to September 30, 2025
MondayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
TuesdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
WednesdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
ThursdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
FridayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
Open on SaturdayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm
SundayOpen from 09 am to 19 pm

Last admission 30 min. before closing time

Opening hours from October 01 to November 11, 2025
MondayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
TuesdayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
WednesdayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
Open on SaturdayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 09:30 a.m to 18 p.m

Last admission 30 min. before closing time

Opening hours from December 20, 2025 to January 05, 2026
MondayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
TuesdayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
WednesdayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
ThursdayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
FridayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
Open on SaturdayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm
SundayOpen from 11 am to 17 pm

Last admission 30 min. before closing time

Exceptional Closure(s)

  • 01/01/2025
  • 25/12/2025

Pricing

PricingMin.Max.
Adult

7 €Not disclosed
Kids

5 €Not disclosed
Adult group

6 €Not disclosed
Children group

4 €Not disclosed
night visit in July and August:
adult (from 16 years old): €9
child (5 to 15 years old) and student: €6
Free for children under: 5 years old

Payment methods

  • Bank / credit card
  • Cheque
  • Classic Holiday Vouchers
  • Cash

Services

Equipment

  • Elevator
  • Toilet
  • Public toilets
  • Parking
  • Entertainment room
  • Screening Room
  • Parking in the area
  • Coach parking

Services

  • Pet Friendly
  • Educational visits
  • Coach access
  • Boutique
  • Permanent animator
  • Tourist routes
  • Tourist Documentation
  • Tourist information
  • Guided tours

Activities on site

  • Animation
  • Children's entertainment
  • Product tasting
  • Temporary exhibitions

Home animals

ACCEPTED

Accessible tourism

Adapted service: Wheelchair accessible with assistance, Independent wheelchair accessible, Furniture/reception counter adapted for people in wheelchairs, WC + grab bar + circulation space, Possibility of dropping someone off in front of the site

Physical disability

You have to climb 268 steps to reach the Chapel which overlooks the Rocher Saint-Michel. Since June 2019, new scenographic spaces have been inaugurated in order to improve the accessibility of the site. Thus, it is now possible to take a virtual tour of the Chapel!

On the first floor, we find ourselves facing a giant curved screen. Sébastien Falcon, the site manager, comments on the visit while manipulating a joystick that allows him to move around the screen. In a few seconds, we are projected to the top of the Rock and we discover the Chapel as if we were there!

We salute this technical feat and strongly encourage other hard-to-reach places to follow the example!
A simple virtual tour on a laptop or tablet can already bring a lot to visitors with reduced mobility, if they don't have to physically move around the entire building.
To find out more about the Rocher Saint-Michel:

Check the official website;
Watch the Facebook live below to get a sneak peek of the virtual tour. www.facebook.com/watch/?v=281856956254808


If you are driving, do not hesitate to park as close as possible. If you take the guided tour of the tourist office like us, you will appreciate finally riding in a wheelchair on tarred roads! But be careful because the difference in altitude is significant and the path constantly descends.

Linked offers

From 7 € / adult

Address

Rue du Rocher
43000 Aiguilhe
How do I get there?

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