Payerne Priory was a Cluniac monastery founded between 950 and 960 by the Burgundy royal family. The church received approximately its current appearance in the middle of the 11th century. Later, the Reformation let to the dissolution of the monastery in 1536.
The monastery church was built using Jura limestone with a slight red color. The Gothic bell tower with four turrets is located at the transept.
Abbatiale de Payerne - north facade
The nave features a barrel vault. It is over 60 meters long and 15 meters high.
nave
nave and choir
Starting in the 12th century, the Abbey Church was decorated with wall paintings, some of which can still be seen today. The apse has three windows on the lower level and five windows on the upper level. The paintings in the Chapel of the Resurrection were created in the 14th century.
apse with three windows on the lower level and five on the upper level
organ built by Jürgen Ahrend in 1999
wall paintings in the Chapel of the Resurrection
The chapel of Grailly with its rib vault was built in the 15th century.
chapelle de Grailly
chapter house ceiling
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