A masterpiece of southern Gothic, pontifical building burial of Clement VI, the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu is full of heritage treasures in the heart of a town from the Middle Ages
Since 2007, the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu has been at the heart of a major rehabilitation and enhancement project carried out by the Syndicat Mixte Projet Chaise-Dieu (made up of the Department of Haute-Loire, the Community of Agglomeration of Puy-en-Velay and the municipality of La Chaise-Dieu).
This large-scale project aims to "give back to seeing" the abbey in its entirety, by allowing visitors to understand its functioning and architectural organization.
The abbey of La Chaise-Dieu, founded in the middle of the 11th century under the Latin name “Casa Dei” by Robert de Turlande, former canon Count of Brioude, has spanned the centuries, bequeathing us a prestigious heritage highlighted by recent restorations. The museum trail, open since 2018, offers visitors the opportunity to rediscover these spaces through modern and immersive scenographies…
The abbey complex is made up of several buildings gathered around a cloister including a magnificent 14th century Gothic abbey church housing the tomb of Pope Clement VI, 144 carved oak stalls, a flamboyant Gothic rood screen and a sumptuous organ case as well as the famous Danse Macabre fresco, a 15th century wall painting; the 17th century convent building which formerly housed the old dormitories, now houses 16th century Flemish tapestries originally made to decorate the church choir, a scenography on the dance of death and the famous echo room, a real mystery for its visitors who, each placed at a diametrically opposite angle, can hear each other perfectly even when whispering... Place Lafayette at the apse of the church is dominated by the imposing Clementine Tower from the 14th century and the stables located there were transformed into an auditorium to host shows and concerts during the cultural season. The former refectory of the abbey has become the Chapel of the Penitents.
Some of these spaces are freely accessible all year round: the St-Robert abbey church, the Chapelle des Pénitents, Place Lafayette, Porte du For, Place de l'écho and its renovated sundial...
The paid tour is open from April to November and allows you to discover the new renovated and themed spaces: the cloister, the echo wing with the nave of 14 tapestries classified as Historic Monuments in 1840, the room of the echo, the Builders space, the old kitchen renamed “Loge Clément VI” and the scenography on the dance of death.
Since the beginning of summer 2022, this visit route has offered an original visit experience, a sensory circuit accessible to people with visual, hearing or mental impairments, developed by the AcceSens association as part of the "Massif Central pour tous" project. .
La Chaise Dieu Abbey obtained 2021 stars in the prestigious Michelin Green Guide in 3.
This large-scale project aims to "give back to seeing" the abbey in its entirety, by allowing visitors to understand its functioning and architectural organization.
The abbey of La Chaise-Dieu, founded in the middle of the 11th century under the Latin name “Casa Dei” by Robert de Turlande, former canon Count of Brioude, has spanned the centuries, bequeathing us a prestigious heritage highlighted by recent restorations. The museum trail, open since 2018, offers visitors the opportunity to rediscover these spaces through modern and immersive scenographies…
The abbey complex is made up of several buildings gathered around a cloister including a magnificent 14th century Gothic abbey church housing the tomb of Pope Clement VI, 144 carved oak stalls, a flamboyant Gothic rood screen and a sumptuous organ case as well as the famous Danse Macabre fresco, a 15th century wall painting; the 17th century convent building which formerly housed the old dormitories, now houses 16th century Flemish tapestries originally made to decorate the church choir, a scenography on the dance of death and the famous echo room, a real mystery for its visitors who, each placed at a diametrically opposite angle, can hear each other perfectly even when whispering... Place Lafayette at the apse of the church is dominated by the imposing Clementine Tower from the 14th century and the stables located there were transformed into an auditorium to host shows and concerts during the cultural season. The former refectory of the abbey has become the Chapel of the Penitents.
Some of these spaces are freely accessible all year round: the St-Robert abbey church, the Chapelle des Pénitents, Place Lafayette, Porte du For, Place de l'écho and its renovated sundial...
The paid tour is open from April to November and allows you to discover the new renovated and themed spaces: the cloister, the echo wing with the nave of 14 tapestries classified as Historic Monuments in 1840, the room of the echo, the Builders space, the old kitchen renamed “Loge Clément VI” and the scenography on the dance of death.
Since the beginning of summer 2022, this visit route has offered an original visit experience, a sensory circuit accessible to people with visual, hearing or mental impairments, developed by the AcceSens association as part of the "Massif Central pour tous" project. .
La Chaise Dieu Abbey obtained 2021 stars in the prestigious Michelin Green Guide in 3.
Further information) :
audio guides in French, English, German and Spanish
Themes:
Location details
- Village center
- Lake or body of water at -5 km
Visit
Customers
Language(s) of the visit
Français
Audio guide language(s)
German, English, Spanish, French
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
Group visit services
- Unguided group tours permanently
- Guided group tours on request
Opening
| Opening hours from January 01 to December 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Monday | Open |
| Tuesday | Open |
| Wednesday | Open |
| Thursday | Open |
| Friday | Open |
| Saturday | Open |
| Sunday | Open |
The cloister, the lodge of Clement VI, the Echo Room and the Tapestry Museum are part of a paid tour from April to November.
Please note, certain religious or cultural events may result in the temporary closure of the abbey parish church.
A music festival takes place at the abbey church each year during the second half of August: opening hours are therefore very limited and you should find out before coming.
For groups (20 people minimum): guided tour by reservation all year round
Prices
The abbey church, the Chapel of the Penitents and the exteriors of the Abbey are freely accessible all year round.
The museum tour including the cloister, the Builders space, the 14 Flemish tapestries, the Echo room, the scenography of the Danse Macabre is chargeable: €10 per adult; reduced rate with proof: €5 (job seekers, students, under 18s); free for children up to 10 years old and people in wheelchairs (reduced rate for accompanying person). For groups of more than 20 people: €7 with free admission.
The nominative and individual season pass costs €15 (€10 reduced rate upon presentation of proof). A family season pass is now available at €30 for 2 adults and 3 children maximum.
Access to the temporary exhibition only at €7 (from June 1 to September 29, 2024)
The museum tour including the cloister, the Builders space, the 14 Flemish tapestries, the Echo room, the scenography of the Danse Macabre is chargeable: €10 per adult; reduced rate with proof: €5 (job seekers, students, under 18s); free for children up to 10 years old and people in wheelchairs (reduced rate for accompanying person). For groups of more than 20 people: €7 with free admission.
The nominative and individual season pass costs €15 (€10 reduced rate upon presentation of proof). A family season pass is now available at €30 for 2 adults and 3 children maximum.
Access to the temporary exhibition only at €7 (from June 1 to September 29, 2024)
Payment methods
Services
Equipments
Services
Activities on site
- Concert
- Temporary exhibitions
- Show
Home animals
Adapted tourism
Linked offers
On the spot…
