Find all the practical info you need to plan your adventure in Saint-Antoine l’Abbaye and the surrounding area.
Saint-Antoine l'Abbaye: Gothic gateway to the Vercors
The Gothic jewel of Dauphiné, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, nestles in the rolling hills of Chambaran, where the majestic walnut trees of the lower Isère valley flourish. This medieval village is proudly listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France.”
Here, time seems to stand still
On a beautiful spring day, stroll through the narrow streets and medieval alleys of Saint-Antoine l’Abbaye. Set off on an adventure and discover its old picturesque shops, half-timbered houses, magnificent medieval market hall and large courtyard lined with century-old trees that serve as a majestic backdrop to the impressive abbey church.
The Order of St. Anthony – great masters of architecture, sculpture and gold and silver work – built one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the Dauphiné region (13th and 15th centuries) here, in the middle of the hills.
Follow the stroller’s path from the village hall to explore the medieval city’s hidden treasures.
On the road to Santiago de Compostela
Today’s pilgrims walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of ancient times.
A place of hospitality, the Abbey of Saint-Antoine has long been renowned throughout Europe and merited a visit.
On the road between Geneva and Le Puy-en-Velay, the medieval city became a pilgrimage site in its own right. Pilgrims would pause here to pay their respects to the relics of St. Anthony of Egypt kept in the choir of the abbey church.
Things to see & do in Saint-Antoine l’Abbaye
The medieval village
#01With its glazed tile roofs crowned by an impressively sized Gothic church, the village of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye proudly holds the label Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France).
There’s no denying its exceptional charm! The village’s history is rooted in the Middle Ages, when the relics of Saint Anthony of Egypt were brought through here, inspiring the creation of the abbey.
Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is also remarkable for its architectural heritage: narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, facades adorned with mullioned windows and a medieval market hall. The village is truly an open-air history book.
The grand staircase
#02Standing on a wide platform encircled by a large retaining wall, the Abbey of Saint-Antoine has a unique and unconventional design.
The grand staircase, crafted in the 18th century, leads gracefully to the church square. From this vantage point, visitors are greeted by the abbey’s western façade, crowned by an imposing Gothic tympanum that rises majestically.
The abbey church
#03Forty-five clerestories and windows that once displayed colourful stained glass line the grand nave.
The church’s sacristies, adorned with exquisite walnut and Hungarian oak panelling, house the Treasure of the Antonines, a collection of sacred art.
In 1840, Prosper Mérimée recognised the abbey church’s historical significance, listing it as a Historic Monument.
The Great Courtyard
#04The large courtyard of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, lined with century-old lime trees, stretches from the procure, marking the entrance to the sacred enclosure, to the abbey church. Once a grand cloister and a site for processions, this space was completely remodelled in the 17th and 18th centuries, showcasing the elegant classicism of its facades.
Today, this historic courtyard houses shops, restaurants and art studios. Stonemasons’ chisels can often be heard echoing through the building.
Museum of Saint-Antoine l'Abbaye
#05The Musée de Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is dedicated to the history of the Hospitallers of Saint Anthony, therapeutic perfumes and the history of gardens.
It offers two permanent exhibitions: “Chronicles of an Abbey” and “Perfumes of History, from Care to Well-being.” The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions each season, complemented by shows and concerts that reflect the site’s rich history.
La Médiévale
#06Every summer, in August, the medieval village hosts La Médiévale festival which brings the village to life with traders, acrobats, troubadours and other performers.
This immersive journey back to the Middle Ages is an unusual yet festive, joyful, delicious, noisy and colourful celebration.
Practical info
Place de l'Abbaye38160 Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye tourisme.saintmarcellin-vercors-isere.fr