la maison du visiteur

Our family spent several days in Vezelay in July 2014 and our visit to "La Maison du Visiteur" was one of the highlights of our stay. Located a short distance down the hill from the Basilica, this "visitor's house" is a very special place. Expect to spend about an hour or so here before you make your visit to the serene and beautiful Basilica. You will appreciate and enjoy your time in the Basilica so much more after your time here. Our guide, Christopher Kelly, was truly exceptional. He explained the architectural, historical and spiritual significance of the Basilica through some really innovative medium (lights, movie, music, sophisticated scale models). Far exceeded our expectations!!

A stop in the quaint town of Vezelay while on your day trip through Burgundy is a must. Once there, and before you enter the basilica, stop by the visitor center to learn about the basilica's history and the importance of light. Our guide was very informative and welcoming. We could have spent another hour w/ him. We will surely return!

The visitors center is a MUST SEE in Vezelay. Our guide was exceptional well educated, informed and articulate - and spoon feed us everything you need to know to understand the basilica- the building, the symbolism, importance of the light etc. The movie is brilliant and his comments are enlightening. And the model and plan downstairs allow you to experience the annual cycle of the sun on the basilica- it is all so well conceived and executed.And at the suggestion of the guide we got ourselves to the basilica by 7:30AM and experienced the light coming through the East windows- it was moving and memorable. I suggest you do it too. Don't miss seeing the terrace (behind the basilica) with its panoramic view of the valley below.

For anyone looking for a unically sublime place, visiting the Vezlay Basilica is surely a highly emotional and spiritual moment.Preparing and sharing the visit with the guides of La Maison du Visiteur has helped me have a much better understanding of what the Balisica still offers nearly a millenium after it was built.The guides of the maison du Visiteur are truly inspired by Vezelay, they will open your eyes to the experience of beauty. A visit you'll never forget!

One cannot deny, regardless of whichever religious beliefs one holds, that Vézelay's Basilica of St Magdelene is a truly spiritual, mystical place. It is also part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and so deserves to be!One could spend years admiring this basilica, as it evolves through the seasons, through the many lights. A definite stop is at La Maison du Visiteur, where knowledgeable historians, give you a glimpse of the craftsmanship and mastery of these men of God who built this harbor of peace and of Beauty.Through film, music and light, you will discover some of the many facets of the Basilica and how still today its message is as timeless, eternal, to us Men today, as it was to the Men during the 11th century. The presentation is appropriate for children of all ages and is a great precursor to visiting the Basilica. You will definitely see it under a different "light"!

Vézelay is a must stop-over if you are taking a trip through Burgundy. A full day is required to leisurely visit this beautiful city. You just leave your car at the foot of the "Colline Inspirée" and stroll your way up the Main Street to the Basilica. Half way up make sure you stop at the Maison du Visiteur and enjoy their awesome presentation of everything you need to know about why and how the Basilica was built and the deep faith and mind boggling drive of those who built such fantastic monument, prior to your visiting the Basilica. Vézelay is an important stage on the way to Santiago de Compostella and a marvelous place for amateur and solid hikers. At Saint-Père Nautical Base (5 km before reaching Vézelay from Avallon) it is possible to hire kayaks and paddle your way down the Cure river through unforgettable landscapes. Have a picnic or stop at one of several restaurants most of which are quite affordable (15 / 20 euros per person). And do not forget your camera!

this is definitely my favorite church I've ever seen. the lighting is amazing and wow--wait until you see the view from the park next to it. it blew me away and it's a great photo op and its so nice to sit there and have a picnic. the church is phenomenal though and i bumped into a couple visiting from paris who said they went there a lot for vacation because it is the best place to go/most beautiful. highly recommended!

Nous avons beaucoup aimé visiter la basilique avec une guide très concernée par la beauté de la basilique et sachant faire partager ses connaissances et son intêret pour l'archithecture.

…Pour COMPRENDRE la Basilique et s'émerveiller…Y aller AVANT de visiter la Basilique Sans oublier le détour par les terrasses

j'ai beaucoup aimé cet atelier de discussions et d'explications autour de la Basilique : le pouvoir du regard entre le jeu de l'ombre et de la lumière.

Une visite où le regard est mis à contribution, un nouveau regard sur la visite en elle-même, très intéressante !

ビジターセンターのカーブ（地下室）には、大聖堂の模型があります。ビジターセンターでは、ウェズレー村の紹介ビデオを大スクリーンで見ることができます。ビジターセンターに入り、正面の階段を上り、螺旋をモチーフにした扉を抜けると、真っ白な広い部屋に通され、そこで、ビデオを鑑賞します。その後、カーブへ移動し、模型により、大聖堂は、太陽の光（イエスキリストの光）をどのように取り入れて作られたのか、わかるように、模型を使い説明をしていただけます。（ビジターセンターは村のボランティアの手で運営されているので、その費用は、運営費にあてられるとのこと）もちろん、フランス語での説明です。

J'ai beaucoup appris en allant à la Maison du visiteur avant la visite de la Basilique. C'est clair que je retournerai à Vezelay pour la revoir à un autre moment de l'année et si possible lors d'un des solstices. Dorénavant je verrai toutes les églises autrement .Merci à toute l'équipe de la Maison du Visiteur

Il s'agit d'un exposé didactique sur la basilique avec une remise dans le contexte. Tout repose donc sur le "guide", et nous avons été bien gâtés : les explications que nous a fourni le nôtre étaient très adaptées pour des âges variés, intéressant les petits et les grands, et replaçaient la basilique dans la manière de penser de l'époque.Nous y sommes allés avant de visiter la basilique, et nous avons été mieux attentifs aux détails ensuite. C'est un vrai plus d'être préparé à la visite.Cela nous a donné envie de retourner dans la basilique à différents moments de l'année pour voir le lever de soleil à pâques ou le chemin de lumière en juin !Nous avons bénéficié d'un tarif plus intéressant en montrant nos billets d'entrée à l'abbaye de Fontenay.

La jeune fille qui nous a fait le commentaire des lieux: Basilique et l'explication concernant sa construction , les méthodes de construction au Moyen Âge était passionnante; j'ai beaucoup appris sur Vézelay, la Basilique, les pèlerinages...Le film proposé est remarquable aussi pour la beauté des vues de la Basilique, des chapiteaux etc...Surtout: ne pas rater cette occasion de découvrir Vézelay autrement!