Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye travel guide
Visit Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, France)
Book a visitSaint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is a village in the Isere department (Rhone Alps region of south-east France), in the countryside north-east of Valence and Romans-sur-Isere and west of Grenoble.
Explore Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
The small village centres around a large open square lined with shady trees which, together with several side streets, contains many interesting houses in the traditional style of the region, typically houses built of stone, with some of them rendered and painted in pastel colours, and plenty of interesting architectural details to capture your attention.
The village of Saint-Antoine-l-Abbaye is also officially classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
The Abbey and buildings
Much the most important monument here in Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is the abbey and its buildings, built to house the relics of Saint Anthony of Egypt. This is the largest ensemble of religious buildings in the whole Rhone-Alps region.
To reach the abbey you first pass through a stone arch, part of a neo-classical style building added to the abbey later. The roof features a pattern in coloured tiles, very pretty and perhaps more typical of roofs in Burgundy.
The main church was built between the 12th and 15th centuries in the gothic style and contains some fine frescoes and an impressive treasury. The other parts of the complex were being added until the 17th century, and include a substantial lodge, refectory, cloisters, a hospital wing, a large dormitory etc.
Among the highlights are the stained glass windows, the stone carvings and statues around the entrance to the church, and the medieval frescoes in one of the side chapels. The large marble altar containing a shrine with the relics of Saint-Antoine is imposing, if perhaps not beautiful.
Your visit includes a well maintained and interesting museum in one of the abbey buildings that features several exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, relating broadly to the history of the town, the abbey, and the region around Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
Attractions nearby
There are several signed trails that lead through the surrounding countryside: ask for details at the Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye tourist office.
An interesting contrast with the abbey is the monument about 20 kilometres from the village and called the Palais-Idéal, a substantial and eccentric monument built by a 19th century postman!
You can find more travel ideas in the Isere guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
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Map of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye with France This Way reviews
Pont-en-Royans
The centre of Pont-en-Royans, with medieval houses along the cliffs above the river gorge, is the highlight for visitors
Pont-en-Royans guide
Palais Ideal
One of the most unusual monuments in France, the Palais-Idéal is a fantastic creation that incorporates many different styles
Palais Ideal guide
Romans-sur-Isere
The Collegiale church of Saint-Bernard is the highlight of a visit to the large town of Romans-sur-Isere
Romans-sur-Isere guide
Collegiale Saint-Barnard of Romans-sur-Isère
The collegiale church in Romans-sur-Isere is a 12th-13th century church with medieval artworks
Collegiale Saint-Barnard of Romans-sur-Isère guide
Tain-l'Hermitage
A town for gourmands, Tain-l'Hermitage is visited for its excellent local chocolates and the Cotes-du-Rhone wines
Tain-l'Hermitage guide
Tournon-sur-Rhone
In Tournon-sur-Rhone there are several interesting monuments to explore and also the Eden Parc woodland garden and views
Tournon-sur-Rhone guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Isere
Tourist classifications for Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, Saint-Marcellin, Grenoble, Rhone-Alpes, 38160, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.175833, longitude 5.217222
Plan your visit to Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, Isere
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Grottes de Choranche: site of natural beauty (18 km)
- Gorges de la Bourne: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Saint-Gervais: ville fleurie 4* (21 km)
- Cascade du Moulin-Marquis: site of natural beauty (22 km)
- Jardin japonais: remarkable garden (29 km)
- Montelier: ville fleurie 4* (30 km)
- Vercors: regional natural parc (33 km)
- Parc Jouvet: remarkable garden (37 km)
- Valence: town of art and history (37 km)
- Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire (Valence): religious monument (37 km)
- Mont Jalla: site of natural beauty (40 km)
- Grenoble: town of art and history (40 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye (Francais)