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
With a guide…
Association, group of friends? All year round, by appointment, you can visit the abbey city and have access to the Romanesque frescoes in the company of one of our tour guides. For individuals, from July 7 to October 27, 2024, a program of guided tours on Sundays at 15 p.m. and night tours is offered.
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.
As a family with Ursule the dragonfly…
Follow Ursule the dragonfly in all her adventures. Thanks to this intrepid Ursule, you will discover while having fun the history of Saint-Chef and its monuments. And if you answered all the questions correctly, you could even get a nice diploma from Ursule's friends at the Tourist Office. So happy Ursula! She rubs her mandibles…
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.
Visiting hours:
When can I visit the Romanesque frescoes?
The Romanesque frescoes can be visited only with a guide, during guided tours offered by the Tourist Office, every Sunday at 15 p.m. from July 7 to October 27, 2024 inclusive. Reservation is essential on 04 74 27 73 83 (Limited places !). The visit instructions are communicated to you when booking.
No visit to the Romanesque frescoes is possible from November to June.
When can I visit the abbey church?
The abbey church of Saint-Chef is open to the public:
- from January 8 to March 31, 2024: Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.
- from April 2 to June 30, 2024: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m., Sundays from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.,
- from July 1 to October 27, 2024: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.
The church may be inaccessible during these times because priority is given to worship (marriage, baptism, mass, burial).
When can I visit Château Teyssier de Savy?
Le Château Teyssier de Savy is a private castle, which opens the doors of its park and chapel to visitors every summer. The dates and times for the 2024 season are as follows. From 01/07 to 26/08:
- Free visit with an explanatory booklet: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 13:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. (€5, free for children under 12)
Outside of this period, the castle is not open to visitors.
When can I visit the Museum of Saint-Chef?
The Museum is open to visitors:
- from April 2 to June 30, 2024: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- from July 1 to October 27, 2024: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Access is free, the visit is independent and lasts approximately 1 hour. To benefit from a guided tour, contact the Museum before your visit on 06 78 21 23 72.
The Museum is closed each year from November to March.
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 eaten frog legs until you've tasted those from La Taverne Rustique chez Monique! You will do the diet another day… And then concerning the wines at Saint-Chef, here again their culture is linked to the history of the abbey since it was the Benedictine monks who imported it from the Middle Ages. In decline in the post-war period, the wine-growing activity experienced a new boom in 1979, thanks to the region's winegrowers who then created the “Balmes Dauphinoises” appellation. The work of these enthusiasts will be rewarded with the creation of the Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) in 2011 and the recognition of 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!
