The church of La Madeleine of Vézelay has been listed as World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1981.

During the 9th century, Vézelay was a convent in which were kept the relics of Mary Magdalene brought from Provence by the Count Gérard de Roussillon. Because of the Norman invasions, the convent had to move to the "colline éternelle" ("the eternal hill") and became a community of men, acknowledged by King Charles the Bald and the Pope.

In 1050, Father Geoffroy obtained from Pope Leo IX, the official recognition of the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene. From that date on, Vézelay became an important stop along the Medieval pilgrimage routes and the point of departure for the Saint James of Compostelle pilgrimage.
The town welcomed many pilgrims, its trade developed, its vineyard extended and trade fairs grew in number: in short, Vézelay became prosperous and powerful. The fortune of the abbey allowed the financing of various reconstruction plans and the transforming of the cathedral into a masterpiece of architecture in which were
mixed Roman and Gothic art.


In 1146, Saint Bernard, founder of Clairvaux, preached the second Crusade in Vézelay where all the noblemen were gathered.
King Philip of France and Richard Lionheart also departed from Sainte Madeleine to launch the third Crusade in 1190.

During the 13th century, the first Franciscan monastery was built on the place of departure of the Crusade of 1146, around the chapel Sainte-Croix.
Still, that century saw Vézelay's influence diminish greatly due to doubt regarding the authenticity of the relics of Mary Magdalene. As a consequence, the number of pilgrimages to climb the "eternal hill" decreased considerably and the abbey was plundered and burnt down many times throughout the centuries.

Many artists were charmed by the atmosphere of the small Burgundian town and decided to stay there, some for a time, others forever: Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Romain Rolland, Georges Bataille, Max-Pol Fouchet, Prosper Mérimée, Maurice Clavel and Jules Roy.