Abbatial Church of Saint-Chef

Historic site and monument

Image illustrative — © Emmanuelle Bebi Office de Tourisme des Balcons du Dauphiné

Place Antoine Bonnaz
38890 Saint-Chef

Listed as a Historic Monument since 1840, the abbey church of Saint-Chef is a benchmark in France in terms of Romanesque art: typical 10th-century architecture, exceptionally well-preserved Romanesque-Byzantine frescoes and medieval decorations.

The abbey church is the main legacy of the former abbey of Saint-Chef, and its monumental size bears witness to the importance of this site in the Middle Ages.

Built in the 11th century on the foundations of an earlier church, it is in the purest Romanesque style, apart from its portal, which is in the Gothic style.

The abbey church was saved from the ravages of time by Prosper Mérimée, who included it in the first inventory of Historic Monuments in 1840.
Since then, the church has benefited from a programme of conservation and restoration.

In the interests of safety and extreme conservation, the upper chapel, reputed to contain some of the finest Romanesque frescoes in the whole Church, is only open to guided tours of a maximum of 20 people, by prior arrangement, every Sunday from July to October (and all year round, on request for groups).
Information and bookings at the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office.

From April to October, this tour can be combined with a visit to the museum, which is open to the public.

Practical information

Equipments

Parking nearby

Services

Educational visits,
Tourist brochures,
Tour free of charge,
Guided tours

Theme

Fresco/wall painting,
Historic patrimony,
Religious heritage,
Church

Time schedule

From 01/01/26 to 12/31/26

Monday :

Closed
Tuesday :

10h00 to 17h00
Wednesday :

10h00 to 17h00
Thursday :

10h00 to 17h00
Friday :

10h00 to 17h00
Saturday :

10h00 to 17h00
Sunday :

14h00 to 17h00
Jours fériés :

Closed

Access to the lower part of the abbey church only. Access to the upper chapel and Romanesque frescoes is forbidden (only on guided tours with the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office, every Sunday from July to the end of October, by prior arrangement). These opening hours are for guidance only, the church may be temporarily closed for maintenance work or for reasons relating to worship.