The village
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
One of France’s most beautiful villages, in Isère.
Les Plus Beaux Villages de FranceVoted France’s Favourite Village in 2025Introducing the village
Visit Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, a medieval village in Isère
A member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and voted France’s Favourite Village in 2025, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is a medieval village in Isère, known for its abbey and its history of caring for sufferers of Saint Anthony’s fire.
At the gateway to the Vercors, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye draws visitors for its lanes and atmosphere as much as for its abbey.
Stone lanes, an abbey and old façades: take your time and explore on foot.
At a glance
Why visit Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye?
Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is known for its abbey, medieval heritage and membership of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Being voted France’s Favourite Village in 2025 brought that heritage to a wider audience.
A place for a peaceful cultural visit in Isère.
The abbey
Abbaye de Saint-Antoine: history and visiting
A place born out of an epidemic
To understand how the village came to be, we need to go back to the 11th century.
A mysterious illness was devastating medieval Europe, causing burning pain, gangrene and death.
We now know it was caused by a fungus that infects rye.
- Monks gathered the sick around the relics of Saint Anthony.
- By changing their diet, they helped them recover without understanding why.
- Their reputation spread across Europe. Pilgrims arrived in growing numbers. A religious order took shape.
At its height, it had over 300 commanderies across Europe, with its mother house here in Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
Gothic vaults, filtered light and understated carvings… The interior tells the story better than any description.
Allow at least an hour. Let the atmosphere do the rest.
The tau
An influence across Europe
A distinctive symbol
The tau, the Greek letter T, recalls the crutch used by amputees.
You can still find it carved into the stone today.
The museum
The museum of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Next to the abbey, in buildings protected as historic monuments in France.
Admission is free.
- A visit that makes history something you can feel as well as understand.
- A recreated medieval garden with plants used by the Antonins.
- A sensory exhibition exploring perfume and care through the ages.
Discover the rest for yourself.
The village
The medieval village of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
After the abbey, leave the car where it is.
- Cobbled lanes, vaulted passageways and quiet little squares.
- Artisan workshops: pottery, stone carving, jewellery and leatherwork.
- Le sentier du flâneur: 45 minutes through the village, plus 30 minutes in the countryside.
A map is available at the cottage.
Or simply wander and see where the lanes take you.
Guided tours
Explore Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye with a guide
You can explore the abbey, treasury and lanes independently. A qualified guide reveals the details you might otherwise miss, while the dramatised tour about medieval medicine brings the knowledge of the Antonins to life, where it all began.
Through our partnership with the Office de Tourisme Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère, our guests benefit from special access to these guided tours.
What’s onEvents in Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye+
The village comes to life throughout the year: a sacred music festival in summer, La Médiévale in early August, La Foire à l'Ancienne in October and Noël des Lumières in December.
Full events calendar from the Office de Tourisme Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère
Practical details
Practical information
- Access
- Pedestrian village, with parking at the entrance
- Suggested visit length
- At least half a day
- Museum
- Free admission
- Events
- Check the tourist office’s events calendar before booking
- Where to stay
- L'Hospitalier holiday cottage, a 15-minute walk from the village
Behind the name
Why the cottage is called L'Hospitalier
The Order of Saint Anthony had a name: the Hospitaliers. People who cared for others, welcomed them and believed that looking after people was a calling as well as a profession.
Some stories echo across the centuries without anyone having planned it.
Read our storyFAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long should we allow for a visit?+
Is there an admission charge for the museum?+
Do cottage guests receive any benefits for guided tours?+
Is the visit suitable for children?+
Are there any events to look out for?+
Stay a while to get to know Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
L'Hospitalier is a 15-minute walk from the village centre.