Discover La Chaise-Dieu, a tourist hotspot in the Puy-en-Velay region, nestled on a granite promontory at more than 1080 meters, a true haven of peace. The village enchants with the beauty of the place and its visits, also renowned for its famous Saint-Robert Abbey Church and its sacred music festival.
The museum tour of La Chaise-Dieu Abbey
La Chaise-Dieu Abbey offers a new paid and immersive discovery tour through 1000 years of history and architecture. Visitors rediscover the restored spaces: Gothic cloister, echo room with astonishing acoustics... but also new rooms like the lodge Clement VI, an optical theater installed in the old renovated kitchens with a film on the historical context of the construction of the abbey church by Pope Clement VI.
The Notre Dame du Collège chapel, discovered during the work, optimally presents the exhibition of 14 Flemish tapestries from the 16th century, a true national treasure classified as a Historic Monument since 1840, linking scenes from the Old and the New Testament, the History of Builders, the fac simile of the Danse Macabre as well as of course the grandiose St Robert abbey church where the famous Music Festival takes place each year at the end of August...
schedule
Opening hours from April 05 to June 30, 2025 | |
---|---|
Tuesday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Wednesday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Thursday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Friday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Saturday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Sunday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
open on public holidays at the same times
Opening hours from July 01 to September 21, 2025 | |
---|---|
Monday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Tuesday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Wednesday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Thursday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Friday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Saturday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
Sunday | Open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. |
From August 18 to 31, the 59th edition of the Music Festival will be held with concerts taking place in the abbey church. This entails a change in the tour route and, as a result, a reduction in its entrance fee (€7).
Opening hours from September 22 to November 02, 2025 | |
---|---|
Tuesday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Wednesday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Thursday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Friday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Saturday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Sunday | Open from 13:30 a.m. to 18:30 p.m. |
Robert Doisneau exhibition
From June 1 to September 29, 2024
Visitors to the museum trail at La Chaise-Dieu Abbey have the opportunity to discover photographs by Robert Doisneau in the room known as the “antechamber of tapestries”.
These photos highlight the workers of the Aubusson Manufactures working on making tapestries. As a nod to these images, a major temporary exhibition by the famous photographer will be offered from June 1 to September 29, 2024: “Fingers full of ink”
PRICES
Admission fees | Min. | Max. |
---|---|---|
Full price From April 05, 2025 to November 02, 2025 seasonal pass at 20 € |
11 € | - |
Reduced price From April 05, 2025 to November 02, 2025 accompanying a person with a disability, student, job seeker upon presentation of supporting documents |
6 € | - |
Kids From April 05, 2025 to November 02, 2025 from 11 to 17 years old, seasonal pass at 15 € |
6 € | - |
Family package From April 05, 2025 to November 02, 2025 |
25 € | - |
Imposing masterpiece
Saint-Robert Abbey
At the heart of La Chaise-Dieu beats a monumental masterpiece of religious history. On the highlands, the Saint-Robert abbey church is an essential part of your stay. A 144th-century Gothic abbey church housing the tomb of the famous Pope Clement VI surrounded by XNUMX carved oak stalls.
It invites contemplation and meditation around the famous fresco of the Danse Macabre, 2th century wall painting. The sumptuous rood screen separates the nave into XNUMX parts, at the foot of which is the tomb of Saint Robert, founder of the XNUMXth century Benedictine abbey “La Casadei”.
Music is sacred
The prestigious La Chaise-Dieu festival takes place every year in August with numerous concerts! In 2024, see you from August 21 to 31!
The Chaise-Dieu
La Chapel of the Penitents
The room is beautiful with its slender vaults. It was built under the abbey of Abbot Jacques de Saint-Nectaire, whose arms can be seen on the keystones. On the platform, symbols of the passion, used every Good Friday in the 19th century for the Passion ceremony, are exhibited. A Stations of the Cross painted by Robert Falcucci adorns the walls of the chapel.
Former monks' refectory built in the 15th century, it was transformed into a chapel at the beginning of the 19th century. It was the chapel of the Brotherhood of Penitents. Today, this chapel is used for mass in winter and the offices of the Brothers of Saint-Jean in the summer.
le cloister
The cloister is the center of the monastery. That of La Chaise-Dieu only has two sides: to the north, giving access to the church and to the west, alongside the hotel. You have to imagine the south side running alongside the refectory and the east side giving access to the dormitories and cells. They were destroyed first by a fire shortly before the Revolution, then by simple vandalism during the 19th century.
Built in the 15th century and completed by Abbot Jacques de Saint-Nectaire in the 16th century, this cloister replaces the old Romanesque cloister wanted by Saint Robert. Flamboyant Gothic style, it looks great. In the southwest corner, we see the location of the sink which was used for ablutions by the monks before entering the refectory, the door of which we can see.
The cloister is now part of the museum tour of the abbey for a fee.
THE ECHO ROOM
The Echo room of La Chaise-Dieu Abbey is a real mystery for its visitors. In this 17th century room, if you stand in a corner and whisper, the person standing in the diametrically opposite corner hears this whisper as well as if you were right next to them. According to legend, the room, the last of its kind still present in the abbey where there were three, would have been used for the confessions of lepers, thus allowing them to confess their sin without risking contaminating the priest...
In addition to this almost miraculous appearance, the room itself is beautiful with its painted friezes on the ceiling. This room can now be visited on the abbey's new museographic tour for a fee.
La Clementine Tower
A true fortified keep, the Clémentine Tower is the highest point of La Chaise-Dieu. It dates from the 1562th century. In XNUMX, its interior well allowed the monks to survive the three-week siege by the Huguenots. She also protected the treasure and the tapestries. It now houses the sacristy.
It is not possible to visit this site for security reasons… On the other hand, you can admire its silhouette while visiting the town.
To discover
During your stay at La Chaise-Dieu
Find below the guided tours and highlights of La Chaise-Dieu which will punctuate your stay in the Puy-en-Velay region.
Exposition temporaire Raymond Depardon
- The Chaise-Dieu
Le walkway and medieval village
Discover the history of La Chaise-Dieu through its stones, its facades decorated with mascarons, bretèches, fortifications and coats of arms. The walkway of the Saint-Robert Abbey Church is a covered balcony which connects the 2 bell towers on the facade. All around the imposing granite abbey a medieval village was born. You will be charmed by the facades and houses from the Middle Ages at the bend of the streets, the city promises you many surprises.
Around La Chaise-Dieu
bodies of water
Having your feet in the water…
Around the village, the bodies of water will refresh you and the deep coniferous forests are ideal for hiking.
The village is surrounded by bodies of water: that of La Tour has a small beach designed for unsupervised swimming with a pontoon, picnic tables under the nearby pine forest, a volleyball court... Pedal boats are available. rental at the Chaumière du plan d'eau whose terrace is very pleasant in the summer season. The Breuil pond on the Bonneval road is reserved for fishing.
Numerous marked and labeled hiking trails also dot the surrounding area.
tourist trains
Two railway lines are still used in the summer season by local associations: the Agrivap panoramic train coming from Ambert on the Puy-De-Dôme side and the Chemin de Fer du Haut-Forez coming from Estivareilles on the Loire side. These trains operate every Sunday from June to September as well as several weekdays in July and August.
Your accommodation
at the god chair
Share your search
- Tourist Documentation 16
- Garden Lounge 16
- Private Wifi Internet access 15
- Parking 15
- Shower 14
- 90 cm bed 14
- Baby equipment 14
- Microwave 14
- Refrigerator 14
- Hair dryer 14
- Coffee maker 13
- Television 13
- Kettle 12
- Baby chair 12
- Board Games 12
- Dishwasher 12
- 140 cm bed 12
- BBQ 11
- Sheets included 11
- Oven 11
- Garden 11
- Linen included 11
- Beds made on arrival 11
- Ironing equipment 11
- Terrace Area 11
- Kitchenette 10
- Freezer 10
- Crib 10
- No smoking 10
- Living room / Dining room 10
- Separate toilet 10
- Fireplace / Stove 9
- Double glazing 9
- Independent entrance 9
- Free management 9
- Private washing machine 9
- Wifi Internet access 8
- Library 8
- Heating 8
- Joint owner 8
- Free Wi-Fi private Internet access 7
- Pet Friendly 7
- Vacuum 7
- Electric heating 7
- Tourist information 7
- Parking nearby 7
- Towel dryer 7
- Shelters for bikes or mountain bikes 6
- Playground 6
- Kitchen 6
- Independent garden 6
- Collective washing machine 6
- 160 cm bed 6
- Housekeeping with supplement 6
- Breakfast 6
- Television socket 6
- Private toilets 6
- Complimentary wireless internet access 5
- bath 5
- Baby bath 5
- Couch 5
- Comforter 5
- Sheets rental 5
- Coffee machine 5
- Catering 5
- Closed ground 5
- Shaded land 5
- Raclette machine 4
- Boulodrome / Petanque ground / Fort bowling green 4
- Convertible sofa 4
- Court 4
- Half board 4
- Independent home 4
- Extractor hood 4
- Common garden 4
- Laverie 4
- Picnic baskets 4
- Free parking 4
- Equipment loan 4
- Salon 4
- TV room 4
- Private network Internet access 3
- Pets with supplement 3
- Motorhomes allowed 3
- family room 3
- Central heating 3
- Tourist routes 3
- Sustainable development equipment 3
- DVD player 3
- Linen rental 3
- Park 3
- Private parking lot 3
- Table d'hôtes 3
- Changing table 3
- Nearby owner 2
- Fondue maker 2
- Bottle warmer 2
- Hi-fi system 2
- Management of waste 2
- Toaster 2
- Bunk beds 2
- Housekeeping at the end of your stay 2
- Full board 2
- Body of water 2
- Take away meals / Ready meals 2
- Booking 2
- Reservation of services 2
- Bathroom 2
- family suite 2
- Common enclosed land 2
- Shaded terrace 2
- 2 bathrooms (private) 1
- 3 bathrooms (private) 1
- Car shelters 1
- Motorhome parking area 1
- Animals accepted in rentals 1
- Foosball 1
- Dish rack 1
- Multi-jet Pool 1
- Balcony 1
- billiards 1
- Motorhome service terminal 1
- Charging stations for electric vehicles 1
- Water connections 1
- Electrical connections 1
- Motorhome 1
- Cellar 1
- Air-conditioning 1
- Ironing corner 1
- Common courtyard 1
- Italian shower 1
- Bread 1
- Wireless speaker 1
- Common entrance 1
- Spa area 1
- Fishing pond 1
- Garage 1
- Garage mort 1
- Private garage 1
- Soundproof accommodation 1
- Closed equipment room 1
- HLL / chalet rental 1
- Bicycle rental 1
- Attached tenant 1
- Breakfast in the room 1
- Pool 1
- Collective swimming pool 1
- Ceramic hob 1
- Induction hob 1
- Folding stroller 1
- Loan of bicycles 1
- restaurant 1
- Entertainment room 1
- Common sanitary facilities 1
- Collective clothes dryer 1
- Sports field / Stadium 1
- Tennis court 1
- Covered terrace 1
- Toilets 1
- Emptying gray water 1
- Black water drainage 1
Filters
Was this content useful to you?
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that this content was helpful to you. Your encouragement is essential to us, and your feedback allows us to improve.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that this content was not useful to you. We apologize for that.
Share this content
Share this content