Le trésor de la Cathédrale Saint-Lazare

Completing 30 years of exemplary restoration work, the Cathedral Treasury, located at the heart of the building, brings together the major works that have adorned the cathedral over the centuries.

On the ground floor, liturgical instruments, silverware, paintings and sculptures evoke the history of the cathedral. The reliquaries from the Treasury stand alongside works related to the Rolins' patronage during the restoration of the cathedral in the 15th century, a reminder of the importance of the relics of Saint Lazarus, for which the cathedral was built.

Upstairs, the chapter house displays the 12th-century historiated capitals attributed to Gislebertus, which are among the masterpieces of Burgundian Romanesque art.

On the west side of the cathedral, a 16th-century building housing the large sacristy and, on the first floor, the chapter house. The rib-vaulted room, formerly the chapter library, houses a small lapidary museum displaying 23 capitals from the nave and choir of the cathedral, especially from the area around the transept crossing. They were removed in the 19th century during the restoration of the bell tower supports, often replaced by modern copies in the church. In this way, the sculptures can be admired in all their splendour from a very short distance. Fourteen capitals are historiated. Autun's most famous capital is probably the Flight into Egypt, which comes from the choir and shows the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus, on a donkey, and Joseph (this famous subject is also found in Saulieu). The other marvels from the choir are: the Arrival of the Magi at Herod's, with a scene of the kings with very mutilated horses; the beautiful scene of the Adoration of the Magi with the Virgin Mary and Child seated under a baldachin and Saint Joseph on the right; the Sleep of the Magi, with the moving sculpture of an angel waking up the Magi; a fighting Dwarf riding a monster bird; the Three-Headed Bird and a very mutilated Basilisk and Sagittarius. Five capitals come from the nave of the cathedral: The Death of Cain, killed by an arrow; The Offering of the Church, a presentation scene with a sleeping King on the right; The Hanging of Judas, which is a very dramatic scene with two winged demons pulling the rope; God and Adam, with God speaking to Adam or Cain, and Abel lying in the foliage on the right; as well as two Vices and two Virtues with astonishing faces representing Avarice, Charity, Anger and Patience or Hope. The two mutilated corbels from the large portal in the narthex were placed here: the Hippogriff or griffon mounted by an Ethiopian rider, and Balaam on his donkey. Lastly, there are nine capitals with foliage and very delicate plant decoration (from the nave and choir).

PRM access from Monday to Saturday via the cloister, closed on Sundays.

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