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Origin and history

The cloister of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Saint John the Maurienne was built in the 15th century, under the impulse of the cardinal of Varambron or his successor, the cardinal of Estouteville. It replaces an older cloister, mentioned in 1211, and connects the north flank of the cathedral to the canon refectory. The works, financed in part by the Duke of Savoie Charles I in 1482, were completed under the episcopate of Stephen Morel (1483-1499). Ranked a historic monument in 1899, this Gothic cloister illustrates Savoyard religious architecture of the late Middle Ages.

The cathedral, to which the cloister is attached, dates back to the 11th century, with a Romanesque crypt rediscovered in 1958. It is home to relics of St John the Baptist, linked to a medieval legend featuring a noble named Tiger (or Thecle) that relates these Eastern relics to the sixth century. The episcopal ensemble, including the double cathedral (Saint John the Baptist and Notre Dame) and the cloister, underwent major transformations in the 15th and 18th centuries, especially after floods and conflicts.

The cloister is part of a historical context marked by the rivalry between Savoy's house and local ecclesiastical authorities. Its construction coincides with the Gothic restoration of the cathedral, led by Cardinal d'Estouteville, who adds wooden vaults and a new choir. The cardinal's coat of arms, visible on the vault keys, testify to his central role. The will of 1483 confirms that the work of the cathedral was completed, allowing the cloister to be completed.

In the 19th century, restorations were carried out under the direction of architect Ernesto Melano, financed by King Charles-Félix. These interventions were designed to preserve the building after revolutionary degradation, such as the destruction of the arrow in 1794. The excavations of the 20th century, especially in 1958, reveal Carolingian and Romanesque elements, enriching the understanding of the architectural evolution of the site.

Today, the cloister and cathedral bear witness to more than a thousand years of religious and political history in Maurienne. Their classification as historic monuments (1906 for the cathedral, 1899 for the cloister) underscores their exceptional heritage value, linked both to the legend of the relics of Saint John the Baptist and to the affirmation of Savoyard power in the Alps.

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