The history of this village is completely intertwined with that of its Benedictine abbey, listed as a Historic Monument since 1840. The greatest jewel of the abbey church is, without a doubt, the Romano-Byzantine frescoes from the XNUMXth century in the Chapel of the Angels. The figure of Christ in Majesty or the marvelous scene of the heavenly Jerusalem arouse the admiration of all and the passionate interest of eminent specialists well beyond our borders.
The abbey city is also known to be the cradle of illustrious figures such as the actor and member of the Comédie Française, Louis Seigner and the writer Frédéric Dard who is buried there. For this bon vivant, father of San-Antonio, being buried in the wine-growing lands of the Balmes Dauphinoises undoubtedly brings him closer to Heavenly Jerusalem!
The essentials of the abbey city
And the Romanesque frescoes in all this?
Because the Heavenly Jerusalem has to be earned, these unique frescoes can only be approached thanks to guided tours organized by the Tourist Office (from July to October for individuals, all year round for groups).
For the sake of conservation, the departure for each visit is limited to 20 participants. We therefore strongly advise you to reserve your places or call before you go!
Visit the abbey city
Guided tours by the Tourist Office
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
August 23 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
August 30 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
September 06 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
September 13 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
September 27 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
October 04 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
October 11 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
October 17 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
October 18 , 2026
Bookable online. From €8 per adult.
October 25 , 2026
Association, group of friends? All year round, by appointment, you can visit the abbey city and gain access to the Romanesque frescoes in the company of one of our tour guides.
In autonomy with a visit plan…
The visit plan offers you in 25 stages to discover the very rich history of the abbey city: medieval garden, old tobacco barn, Dauphiné farm in adobe, etc. Many known and little-known marvels will punctuate your journey of discovery! Ask for the map at the Tourist Office.
With the free app…
Walk in the footsteps of the canons with the help of virtual reconstructions. You will discover the buildings now destroyed or transformed which made up the ancient and radiant abbey city. It will also be an opportunity to take full advantage of the Romanesque frescoes in the chapels thanks to the HD photographic panoramas. Visual and sound games will also enhance your visit.
Download the application on your smartphone or borrow a tablet for free from the Tourist Office.
What to visit in Saint-Chef?
We tested: the Saint-Chef orienteering course
You don't need to be a compass ace to practice orienteering! Young and old can learn about this leisure activity provided they are well-shod and…
Upcoming highlights…
The well-deserved gourmet break!
The Rustic Tavern
You can't say you've truly eaten frog legs until you've tasted those at La Taverne Rustique chez Monique! You can go on your diet another day… And as for the wines of Saint-Chef, their cultivation is also linked to the history of the abbey, since it was the Benedictine monks who introduced them as early as the Middle Ages. After declining in the post-war period, winemaking experienced a revival in 1979, thanks to the local winemakers who created the "Balmes Dauphinoises" appellation. The work of these passionate individuals was rewarded with the creation of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in 2011 and recognition from Michelin-starred chefs.
The Cask House
A brewery, Irish pub and wine merchant opened its doors in 2023: the Cask House. Ideally located in the town center to enjoy a refreshment with a view of the abbey church, don't also miss the lively evenings organized throughout the year!
More information at the Tourist Office
2 rue du Seigneur de By 38890 Saint-Chef
