La Chaise-Dieu travel guide
Visit La Chaise-Dieu (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitLa Chaise-Dieu is situated in the Haute-Loire department of the Auvergne, towards the south of the Livradois-Forez Natural Parc.
Exploring La Chaise-Dieu
Set on a hill in the characteristic gently rolling green landscape of the region, the village is best known for the Abbey Church of La Chaise-Dieu, an important building that dominates the village. As well as the abbey you will want to take a stroll around the historic centre of La Chaise-Dieu, which is small but has some interesting monuments.
La Chaise-Dieu abbey
The presence of an abbey here dates from the 11th century when it was founded by Robert de Turlande - canonised as saint-Robert in 1270. The abbey very quickly attracted pilgrims and remained a very important monastery for the region throughout the Middle Ages, only ceasing activity at the time of the French revolution.
The current abbey church was built in the second half of the 14th century, and is a very substantial granite building. The medieval construction can be seen in the gothic style church and the attached cloisters. On the outside of the church the dominant features are the facade with its two towers, and the third tower above the other end of the building.
The cloisters adjoining the church are particularly interesting, with the arcades around the edges enclosed by columns supporting decorative stonework.
Inside the church you can see the extensive (26 metre long) 15th century fresco called the 'Danse Macabre',a fascinating work in three parts showing the rich and influential (such as cardinals), the leaders of the commuunity (such as merchants) and the ordinary people. The 'living' are being welcomed by the dead - the whole fresco representing the idea that we are all equal when it comes to death.
There are also various tapestries around the choir section, and the tomb of Pope Clement VI who trained here as a monk. Above the cloisters, the church treasury also holds some interesting items such as a large tapestry depicting the crucifixion.
Also to see in La Chaise-Dieu
Elsewhere in La Chaise-Dieu the village is focussed around the square in front of the church. There are a sprinkling of traditional buildings to admire around the small medieval centre of the village, several of them historically buildings connected with the abbey complex. The fountain in the centre of the main square dates from the 15th century.
Behind the church is the Cour Lafayette, another square, this one is almost totally surrounded by buildings with access either down the side of the church or through the only remaining stone gateway through the ramparts. The square is dominated by the large square tower of the donjon. The old barns and stables of the abbey have been converted into a concert hall.
A notable curiosity is the 17th century 'Salle de l'Echo' reputed to have the acoustic characteristic that two people can stand in opposite corners of the hall, speak quietly to each other and still be heard perfectly clearly. Useful in the Middle Ages when people with contagious illnesses wanted to confess to the monks, they say!
There is also a museum relating the life of monks in the 12th century, the life of Saint-Robert and the history of the abbey.
Places to visit nearby
La Chaise Dieu is in the Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez, a beautiful region worth exploring. Twelve villages in the area (including La-Chaise-Dieu) have a particularly interesting history and as they are scattered throughout the park provide a useful focus for visiting the park. These villages are: Allegre, Auzon, Sauxillanges, Billom, Chateldon, Thiers, Coupiere, Olliergues, Ambert and Viverols.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Loire guide and the Auvergne guide.
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Map of La Chaise-Dieu and places nearby
Visit near La Chaise-Dieu with France This Way reviews
Allegre
Be sure to climb to the castle above Allegre to see the views after taking a stroll around the village
Allegre guide
Lavaudieu
Lavaoudieu is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and has the roman style Abbey de Lavaudieu as principal attraction
Lavaudieu guide
Brioude
Brioude is most visited for the Basilica Saint-Julien, the largest romanesque church in the Auvergne
Brioude guide
Ambert
The quiet town of Ambert in the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez has a small medieval centre to explore
Ambert guide
Auzon
The cobbled streets of Auzon wind up the hill from the river, passing an imposing church and medieval houses
Auzon guide
Le Puy-en-Velay
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay is very interesting to visit and an important pilgrimage town, as seen in its many religious monuments and statues.
Le Puy-en-Velay guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Loire
Address: Chaise-Dieu, Brioude, Auvergne, 43160, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.3222, longitude 3.6975
Plan your visit to La Chaise-Dieu, Haute-Loire
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lavaudieu: most beautiful village (20 km)
- Eglise de Saint Georges (Saint-Paulien): religious monument (20 km)
- Jardin de l’écomusée: remarkable garden (21 km)
- Bois Noirs: site of natural beauty (24 km)
- Basilique de Saint Julien (Brioude): religious monument (25 km)
- Col des Pradeaux: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Ambert: recommended detour (26 km)
- Abbaye Saint-Andre (Lavaudieu): religious monument (27 km)
- Livradois-Forez: regional natural parc (27 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie): religious monument (31 km)
- Le Puy-en-Velay Hotel-Dieu St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (34 km)
- Le Puy-en-Velay cathédrale Notre-Dame (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (34 km)
Market days in La Chaise-Dieu, France
Regular market(s) are held in La Chaise-Dieu each Thursday & Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at La Chaise-Dieu (Francais)