This medieval city steeped in history is the new “Favorite Village of the French”

Before this consecration, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye was already one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France , and moreover the only one in Isère to benefit from this label. The commune is home to an incredibly rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage, linked to the history of its abbey.

In 1070, the relics of Saint Anthony were brought to the area, and in 1088, the Benedictines began construction of a church to house them. An Alms House was also built to house the sick, as the relics apparently had the power to cure "burning sickness," a blood poisoning that caused gangrene. By the end of the 13th century, the Benedictines were dismissed, and the complex officially became an abbey.

The building became a place of pilgrimage, reaching its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries. The abbey continued to expand, and the village, equipped with ramparts, gradually grew around it. After reconstruction in the 17th century, the medieval building officially became the Gothic jewel of the entire region.

At the heart of the abbey, permanent and temporary exhibitions welcome visitors, who can also discover several treasures: liturgical vestments, ornaments, goldwork pieces, etc. The medieval garden completes the visit and offers a well-deserved break in nature.

The rest of the village is also a must-see. From the elegant stone houses surrounding the abbey in the upper part of the village to the half-timbered shops, the medieval market hall and the small market squares in the centre, the tour immerses visitors in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages along its cobbled streets, describes the Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère tourist site . The tour ends at the bottom of the village, where you will find simpler but still emblematic houses of the medieval period.

Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye doesn't just rely on its historical and architectural heritage. It also hosts a rich cultural activity. Festivities and festivals are held there throughout the year, including the famous medieval festival "Saint-Antoine au Moyen-Âge," which welcomes 200 artists and medievalists and over 500 costumed visitors every year, and during which visitors can learn about stained glass, ornamentation, and stone carving.