It was already listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France.” In 2025, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye added a new distinction to its list of honors by winning the title of “France’s Favorite Village,” ahead of Malestroit in Brittany and Semur-en-Auxois in Burgundy. A year later, this village in the Isère department remains an excellent getaway option for anyone seeking a medieval setting that’s still very well preserved, about three hours from Paris by a combination of train and car.
The village is best explored through its cobblestone streets, which gradually ascend toward the building that dominates the entire village: the Abbey Church of Saint-Antoine. All around, the old houses, narrow passageways called “goulets,” half-timbered facades, and convent buildings still give a good sense of the importance this place held in the Middle Ages.
A Gothic abbey linked to the mysterious “fire-sick”
The history of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is above all that of the Hospitallers, a religious order that settled in the village to welcome pilgrims and care for those afflicted by the “mal des ardents.” This disease, now identified as a form of ergotism caused by the consumption of contaminated grains, could lead to severe pain and burning sensations in the extremities. The Antonines specialized in treating it and eventually spread their influence throughout much of medieval Europe.
Their grandeur remains evident in the abbey church, built between the 12th and 13th centuries and significantly expanded over time. Behind its Gothic façade lie frescoes, wood paneling, Aubusson tapestries, and a 17th-century organ. The Saint-Antoine treasury also houses liturgical vestments, medical artifacts, and several items recalling the role played by the Antonines.
Just a few meters away, the departmental museum housed in the former novitiate allows visitors to continue their tour. Its collections explore the life of the abbey and the medical practices of the order, while a medieval garden features medicinal plants and species once used in the monks’ pharmacopoeia.
A medieval village at the gateway to the Vercors
Around the abbey, the historic center is home to several artisan workshops and a farmers’ market featuring local producers, held every Friday. The village is also surrounded by trails leading to the landscapes of the Vercors and the walnut groves characteristic of this part of the Isère department.
To extend your outing, a roughly 7-kilometer route leads to the Saint-Jean-le-Fromental Chapel, following ancient paths once used by pilgrims. Other longer loops allow you to explore the village’s surroundings.
The title of “France’s Favorite Village” now belongs to Bormes-les-Mimosas, winner of the 2026 edition. But Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is still a superb choice for a getaway.
Location: Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, 38160 Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye
Hours: The village is open to the public year-round; the museum and abbey church are open according to their respective schedules.