Although in ruins, the abbey offers an interesting example of Romanesque art. Its main attraction lies in the many sculptures that adorn the capitals of the columns still intact.
The abbey of La Sauve-Majeure is subject to a classification as a historic monument by the list of 1840. The first protection is confirmed by an order published in the Official Journal in 1914, and by protecting more land containing the ruins.
This package is subject to a classification as historical monuments since April 12, 1929. Finally, the land left by the previous orders are classified as historical monuments by order of April 9, 2002.
In addition, the abbey was closed in December 1998 as World Heritage by UNESCO under the road to St Jacques de Compostela.