Lavaudieu is a small village seven kilomters south-east of Brioude, in the Haute-Loire department of the Auvergne region. In a pretty setting on the river Senouire, Lavaudieu is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
Lavaudieu village
The village stands on the quiet river Sanouire river, and is clustered around the abbey, the principal attraction in the village. Lavaudieu itself is a pretty traditional village of the region, set in rolling countryside.
Parking is obligatory before you enter the village and the virtual absence of cars (locals are allowed) adds to the tranquility of the village. To enter the village walk through the large stone arch.
Stroll through the village streets, lined with stone houses and small gardens, and the main square with its 'obelisk-fountain' and then head down to the stone bridge for picturesque views along the river and to the abbey. The village has a great deal of charm and there are numerous small features to enjoy, such as ancient doors and windows, a stone archway and an old iron cross.
Just below the abbey there is a particularly pleasant spot where you can sit on the stone benches and admire the sight of the abbey and village above and the river below.
I was particularly impressed by the number and quality of the potagers (vegetable gardens) in the village. Every one was immaculately kept and still productive even though I was visiting in January! They must be fabulous in the spring/summer.
There is also a small museum in Lavaudieu, the 'museum of arts and popular traditions', which gives an insight into life in the Auvergne.
Abbey de Lavaudieu
Dating from the 11th century, the benedictine Abbey de Lavaudieu is a good example of roman architecture in the Auvergne. The outside of the church is quite modest in design except for the arcaded octagonal belltower and typical of those in the region.
Inside the church there are a good number of frescoes painted in the early 14th century, and also intricate carvings on the capital stones. Take the time to look at the frescoes individually, they are of an unusually high standard and quality and combine religious images (such as crucifixion and angels) with more 'contemporary' images such as the arrival of black death in the village.
The other main highlight in the abbey is the roman style cloisters. The lovely cloister has two levels of arches with those on the ground floor in stone (alternating one decorative column then two simple columns, the columns ach having decorative capitals) while the upper storey is much simpler and supported by a wooden structure.
Just off from the cloisters is the refectory which contains the most important fresco in the abbey complex, a very large painting of Christ, with the apostles and the Virgin on the lower part of the picture. (The abbey was also renowned for a beautiful painted woodcarving of Christ, but this is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.)
Lavaudieu abbey is closed to the public from late autumn to late spring.
Attractions nearby
The attractive town of Brioude with its Roman Basilica is nearby, and the village of Auzon is one of several traditional villages to explore around Lavaudieu.
The gorges of the Allier river pass through this region of the Haute-Loire and have many scenic highlights.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Loire guide and the Auvergne guide.
Photos of Lavaudieu
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Map of Lavaudieu and places nearby
Visit near Lavaudieu with France This Way reviews
Brioude
Brioude is most visited for the Basilica Saint-Julien, the largest romanesque church in the Auvergne
Brioude guide
Auzon
The cobbled streets of Auzon wind up the hill from the river, passing an imposing church and medieval houses
Auzon guide
La Chaise-Dieu
The church, cloisters and Danse Macabre fresco in the abbey are the major attraction in La Chaise-Dieu
La Chaise-Dieu guide
Allegre
Be sure to climb to the castle above Allegre to see the views after taking a stroll around the village
Allegre guide
Blesle
There are a remarkable number of sites of interest in the small village of Blesle because in medieval times it was an important town for the local Barons
Blesle guide
Usson
One of the least developed of the 'most beautiful villages in France' (a good thing!) the quaint centre of Usson is overlooked by a large statue of the Virgin Mary
Usson guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Loire
Tourist classifications for Lavaudieu
Lavaudieu is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Lavaudieu, Brioude-Sud, Brioude, Auvergne, 43100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.263, longitude 3.4547
Plan your visit to Lavaudieu, Haute-Loire
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Basilique de Saint Julien (Brioude): religious monument (6 km)
- Abbaye Saint-Andre (Lavaudieu): religious monument (7 km)
- Massiac: village d'etape (20 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie): religious monument (22 km)
- Blesle: most beautiful village (23 km)
- Abbaye Saint Pierre (Blesle): religious monument (23 km)
- Eglise de Saint Georges (Saint-Paulien): religious monument (30 km)
- Usson: most beautiful village (31 km)
- Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau: national monument (32 km)
- Mont Mouchet: site of natural beauty (33 km)
- Bois Noirs: site of natural beauty (33 km)
- Livradois-Forez: regional natural parc (35 km)
The French version of this page is at Lavaudieu (Francais)