Presentation
It is said that no one comes to Saint-Antoine by chance. Whether it is history, heritage, the passion of the Middle Ages or curiosity that have guided your steps, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye invites you to discover its secrets and its millennial history.
The visit begins at the Porterie, the grand gateway to the Abbey of Saint-Antoine. An alley of lime trees framed by the conventual buildings welcomes the visitor. In the distance looms the abbey church and its bell tower. Who is Saint Anthony? Why build an abbey in a small remote village in Dauphiné?
Saint Anthony the Great grew up in Egypt between the 1070rd and 3th centuries AD. For having resisted the temptation of the Devil, he obtains the power of healing which will earn him recognition by all Christians. His relics arrived in the small village of La Motte-aux-Bois around the year 3, brought by a local lord from Constantinople. Thus begins the history of the town and its abbey. 1297 churches follow one another, the last taking XNUMX centuries to build and welcome pilgrims and the sick. Against the background of the conflict between the Benedictines and the future Antonins, more and more pilgrims came, the sick were treated and miracles happened. In XNUMX, the abbey changed owners: the Benedictines were driven out, the Antonins became masters of the place and of the village.
22 meters high and 62 meters long, the abbey church impresses both outside and inside. Its walls lined with paintings and frescoes tell the story of the rise of the Antonines, their 300 commanderies throughout Europe and their thousands of canons. The Wars of Religion put an end to the golden age, looting the treasury, the relics and reliquaries, burning down the buildings and the bell tower. Everything will be rebuilt little by little, including the treasure. Today it houses reliquaries, liturgical vestments and objects of worship, symbols and memories of a bygone era.
The village was built at the same time as the abbey. Its 3 districts housed merchants, nobles, peasants and craftsmen who lived under the protection of the Antonins. The bottlenecks, streets and alleys, cob houses and pebbles are waiting to be discovered.
Pet Friendly : no
Comfort and amenities
Services
Accessibility
Rates / opening
Prices
Free for less than 12 years.
Adult: from 10 to 11€
Reduced price: from 7 to 8€ (Adolescent between 12 and 18 years old, Student, Job seeker, People with disabilities)
Family package: from €28 to €30 (2 adults + 2 teenagers).
Free for children under 12 and guide-lecturer.
Payment method
Opening
From 21/04 to 07/07/2024, every Sunday from 15 p.m. to 17 p.m. except Ascension Thursday.