- Nestled between Lyon and Grenoble in southeastern France, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is famed for its Gothic abbey, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old stone houses.
- This medieval jewel was recently named “The Favorite Village in France.”
- The Abbaye de Saint-Antoine is a great place to explore the history of this town. You can also enjoy medieval festivals as well as local delicacies like Saint-Marcellin and walnuts.
Since 2012, French voters have chosen the French crown every year. Le Village Préféré des Français……………??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? “The French Favorite Village.” This year, a little-known commune in the southeast of France made it to the top—and it’s known for its medieval mountain town vibes.
The past winners include charming villages like Saint-Cirq Lapopie, in France’s Lot Department, Rochefort-en-Terre, in Brittany, Hunspach, in Alsace. Collioure in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. The winner will be announced on a hugely popular national television show.
Located South of Lyon in the Isère départment among the rolling peaks of the Chambaran mountains, is the little village of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbay. It is a commune rich in French cultural and religious heritage. A visit to the commune will make you feel like you are stepping back into time with its cobbled streets, stone houses, and charming pedestrian walkways. At the heart of it all is the medieval abbey that gives Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye its name.
Maryline Longis tells us that Saint-Antoine, a small village lost in the mountains, is an idyllic place. Travel + Leisure.
Formerly known as La-Motte-Saint-Didier, the village took the name Saint-Antoine in the 11th century, when the relics of Saint Anthony the Great were brought to it from Constantinople. The Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony was founded shortly afterward to treat people with “St. Anthony’s Fire”, also known as ergotism, using the relics.
Longis says, “The village was a major religious and medical center that combined faith, science and hospitality.” This history has profoundly shaped identity of the town, and not only have we preserved the landscapes, but also the sense of warmth. The village’s guiding principle is to welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality.
Today, it is possible to buy a new car with its colorful roofs, Gothic abbey, square, and marketplace, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye continues to enchant and charm travelers with its medieval atmosphere.
Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye in France.
What to do?
Michel Purên/Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère Tourisme
The jewel of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is the Abbaye de Saint-Antoine, with its intricate Gothic facade decorated with carved religious detailing. The construction of the abbey was done between the 12th-15th centuries. Today, it is not home to any religious orders.
The complex is home to a medieval-style garden, as well as a large church. Musée de Saint-Antoine l’Abbaye, with interactive exhibitions that trace the history of the abbey and the village—it also offers a detailed look into medicines and perfumes in the Middle Ages. Visitors can visit the site every day. In the summer, the tourist office offers guided tours to the abbey as well as the village. However, the tours are only available in French.
The annual Oktoberfest takes place on the first weekend in August. Le Médiévale Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye When the festival takes place is when you should visit the village. Longis says that “troubadours and performers in period costumes, as well dancing and entertainment for kids, all come together to create a medieval ambience.”
There are many other towns to explore in the French countryside. Saint-Marcellin will be familiar to cheese lovers around the globe for its round, creamy, cow’s-milk-based cheese. Also, Pont-en-Royans is known for its picturesque sequence of medieval homes perched on a scenic river.
What to Eat and Drink
Aliaksandr Kazlou/Adobe Stock
This corner of France is renowned for its food-focused towns, such as Saint-Marcellin and Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, which are lauded in gastronomic circles around the world. There is one food that this region is most famous for.
Walnuts are what really stand out to us. Longis says that walnuts are a part of the culture.
Walnuts and Saint-Marcellin Cheese are both on the menu La Table de l’AbbayeA charming restaurant, with a stone-fireplace, wood-beamed roof, and tables spilling out onto a village’s square during the summer. Hostellerie Vieux St Antoine offers a similar setting with outdoor seating under a canopy of trees. You can enjoy classic bistro dishes like steak frites and crepes.
Open from Friday evening to Sunday lunch only Taverne du Bélier Rouge Ferme du St Sauveur is a local farm. The menu includes cuts of meat from the farm’s animals. Sitting down in the dining room itself truly feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages—in the best way possible.
Where to Stay
Auberge du Midi
The main accommodation choices in Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye are small family-run chambres d’hôtes, or bed and breakfasts, that base you in the heart of the village, such as L’Antonin. The small inn offers five rooms with en suite bathrooms and a continental breakfast consisting of baguettes, jams and cereals.
The center is only a few minutes away. Auberge du Midi‘s self-catering apartments were recently renovated and are a great choice for families or bigger groups—the largest can sleep five people. There’s also a beautiful terrace to enjoy a pre-dinner drink. apéritivAs the sun sets over the village, you can enjoy the view.
Don’t miss this property if you want a fun-filled home. Les Cabanes de FontfroideWhere you can stay the night at a wooden treehouse Set in a century-old oak woodland. Breakfast and dinner are served under the cabins. This is an excellent place to begin a day of hiking or biking through the surrounding countryside.
