Photo print of Abbaye d’Hautecombe on the shores of Lac du Bourget

Abbaye d’Hautecombe stands out on the western shore of Lac du Bourget, nestled between water, vegetation, and the Savoyard mountains. The light-colored stone of the architectural ensemble contrasts with the blues of the lake and the wooded slopes that frame the scene. The towers, church and adjoining buildings form a pale ensemble beside the turquoise water. Behind them, the entirely wooded slope provides a dark boundary to the monument. This contrast makes the abbey's different volumes legible while retaining the continuity of the shore: the architecture sits between the open surface of the lake and the forest above it.

The composition balances the architecture and its environment without artificially isolating the monument. The horizontal lines of the water complement the Gothic volumes, while the vegetation creates a gentle transition between the building and the mountains.

Founded in the Middle Ages, the abbey is closely linked to the history of the House of Savoie, whose necropolis it houses. Its lakeside location makes it one of the most recognizable heritage landscapes in the Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes region.

This photograph is available as a photo print of Abbaye d’Hautecombe on Lac du Bourget. On-demand printing on matte Dibond aluminium preserves the details of the facades and the nuances of the landscape.