In the footsteps of Frédéric Dard, around the abbey town of Saint-Chef

Saint-Chef boasts an abbatial church which is a French benchmark in religious heritage. Its rich collection of 12th-century Romanesque frescoes are among the best-conserved examples yet they are perhaps the least known to the general public.An identical model of this exemplary church was produced by historians and exhibited around 1940 at the cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine at the Trocadero in Paris. On entering the high chapel, the visitor is stunned by the decoration of the entire room. The floor (approximately 100 m²) is covered in gold and blue mosaic and the vault is entirely ochre. Matched only by the church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, a French reference when it comes to Romanesque frescoes, this small chapel has an enormous symbolic dimension as it depicts Saint John's Heavenly Jerusalem.

Listed as a Historic Monument since 1840, the abbey church of Saint-Chef is a benchmark in France in terms of Romanesque art: typical 10th-century architecture, exceptionally well-preserved Romanesque-Byzantine frescoes and medieval decorations.The abbey church is the main legacy of the former abbey of Saint-Chef, and its monumental size bears witness to the importance of this site in the Middle Ages. Built in the 11th century on the foundations of an earlier church, it is in the purest Romanesque style, apart from its portal, which is in the Gothic style. The abbey church was saved from the ravages of time by Prosper Mérimée, who included it in the first inventory of Historic Monuments in 1840. Since then, the church has benefited from a programme of conservation and restoration. In the interests of safety and extreme conservation, the upper chapel, reputed to contain some of the finest Romanesque frescoes in the whole Church, is only open to guided tours of a maximum of 20 people, by prior arrangement, every Sunday from July to October (and all year round, on request for groups). Information and bookings at the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office. From April to October, this tour can be combined with a visit to the museum, which is open to the public.

Located in the heart of the village, in a 16th-century house, the museum retraces almost 15 centuries of Saint-Chef's history: the origins of the abbey, the interpretation of the Romanesque frescoes in the church, local traditions, Louis Seigner and Frédéric Dard.The museum is a must for exploring the rich history of Saint-Chef. Housed in the former residence of the Seigneur de By, the collections are divided into two large themed rooms. The history of the village begins in the 6th century with the creation of a hermitage. Take a journey through the 15 centuries of Saint-Chef's history, and witness the different periods of construction of one of the most important abbeys of the Middle Ages in the region. A 3D reconstruction will enable you to discover one of the finest treasures of Romanesque art: the frescoes in the upper chapel of the abbey church. These 12th-century Romanesque frescoes are unique in France. You'll end your visit by discovering the rich local heritage of winegrowing and adobe construction. Other rooms are devoted to the town's illustrious characters: - Frédéric Dard, alias San Antonio, is buried in the cemetery of Saint-Chef, his home town, with the only public collection of the most widely-read writer of the 20th century, his life story, his novels, his desk and his typewriter. - The actors and actresses in the Seigner family, including Louis, - The writer Marius Rolliet. The Saint-Chef museum offers a fun, varied visitor experience suitable for everyone, in the Balcons du Dauphiné, less than an hour from Lyon.

The history of the village of Saint-Chef is directly linked to that of its Benedictine abbey, listed as an Historical Monument in 1840 for its Romanesque church among the oldest in Dauphine and chapel of the Angels, covered with 12th century frescoes.Saint-Chef's Abbey, through its influence for twelve centuries, has deeply marked the local landscape. The story begins in the hamlet of Arcisse at the beginning of the 6th century, where the young Theudère, a native of the hamlet, decided to leave everything to join the Lérins Abbey. Ordered in Arles, he returned 'home' to establish four monasteries, including that of Val Rupéen, probably on the site of the current church. Destroyed by barbarian raids, it was rebuilt in 890 by Benedictine monks from Champagne and experienced a remarkable boom. So much that, in the 11th century, the church was enlarged and highly decorated, in the 12th century, with Romanesque frescoes, illustrating Saint John's vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal city. The abbey then extended its patronage to a dozen priories and a hundred parishes in the area. Becoming a noble chapter in 1536, the remaining twenty-eight canons decided to leave in 1774, to join the abbey of Saint-André-le-Bas in Vienne. Abandoned, then damaged during the French Revolution, the church was rescued from the ravages of time and men thanks to Prosper Mérimée who created the first inventory of Historical Monuments in 1840. From that point, the church was cleaned up by removing the four metres of earth that had slipped on its northern and eastern flanks, and the Romanesque frescoes were protected.

From the 7-hectare lake created in the 18th century to the dense canopy of the Tire-Gerbes forest, passing by the banks of the ruisseau de l'enfer, or Hell's stream, you can discover protected species such as the European Pond Turtle or the Southern damselfly. Distance: 3.3kmIn the past, women came to rinse their clothes in the adobe washhouse, hemp was laid out to dry before the stalks were removed, people fished and hunted... Nowadays, Montcarradiaud schoolchildren come here for natural science lessons, villagers fish or take a walk. This pond is protected: with the renovation and maintenance of the dyke. Heritage species are surveyed: European pond turtle, Great crested grebe, Agile frog, Dragonflies...

Située dans le hameau d’Arcisse à Saint-Chef, cette aire de pique-nique située sur un itinéraire de randonnée dispose d’une table pour 6 personnes et d’une poubelle. Un lieu idéal pour une pause nature aux Balcons du Dauphiné.

Picnic area equiped with 3 tables, near the abbey church, at the starting point for walking trails.

Stephen invite you to explore a range of 5 beers whose recipes are developed, produced and tested in small quantities at Saint-Chef. The beers are brewed at a brewery in the Ain until they can be produced on site.You can try these 5 beers at the Cask House, a pub located in the old abbey church area of Saint-Chef, less than an hour from Lyon in the Balcons du Dauphiné. The 5 permanent beers to try : Lady Blanche "Lady Blanche embodies the elegance of a Weissbier (white beer), a traditional wheat beer from Bavaria in Germany. This beer has a clear, cloudy colour that intrigues at first sight. It gives off aromas of fresh wheat and hints of banana and cloves. With its delicate bitterness, it is the ideal companion for those looking for a light, well-balanced beer. Alcohol: 4.9% IBU: 14 This beer won a silver medal at the Lyon 2024 international competition. Le Dauphin This is a Cream Ale, a mild blonde ale. On the palate, it has a smooth, refreshing taste, with slightly sweet flavours from the corn grains and subtle nuances from three different types of hops. Its low IBU ensures a delicate bitterness that gives way to a clean, thirst-quenching finish. It can be enjoyed on any occasion, whether as an accompaniment to a light meal or to be enjoyed simply. Alcohol : 5.5% IBU 17 Foxy Red This amber beer embodies the boldness and flavour of Red Ales. It has an amber colour that invites discovery. It has a rich, malty taste, with notes of caramel and biscuit. Foxy Red is a well-balanced beer that combines the sweetness of malt with moderate bitterness. Alcohol: 5.2% IBU: 25 The Executioner This beer embodies the darkness and strength of a stout, rich in character and flavour. Its colour is a deep black. "Le Bourreau" seduces with its notes of coffee, bitter chocolate and a subtle touch of caramel. The right balance of roasted malt and hops will delight fans of intense flavours, while remaining accessible thanks to its moderate alcohol content. It shows that strength is not always synonymous with heaviness. A beer to be savoured for its depth of flavour and aromatic complexity. Alcohol: 4.3% IBU: 40 The Cardinal "Le Cardinal is our interpretation of the IPA style. It combines bitterness with subtle aromas. On the nose, "Le Cardinal" releases aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and pine resin, creating a captivating aromatic bouquet. On the palate, it offers an explosion of flavours balanced by a moderately high bitterness. The malt adds a subtle sweetness that perfectly counterbalances the liveliness of the hops. A beer to savour for its liveliness, balance and bouquet of aromas. Alcohol: 4.7% IBU: 44

Located in the historic district of Saint-Chef, in the Balcons du Dauphiné, less than an hour from Lyon, this establishment is reminiscent of an Irish pub. Stephen and Hedi will be delighted to introduce you to their beers and range of Irish whiskies.The team propose 5 beers : Lady blanche, Dauhpin (lager), Foxy red (amber), Bourreau (dark) and Cardinal (IPA). There are regular evening events (concerts, quizz, sports broadcasts) which you can enjoy over a charcuterie and cheese board, a burger and fries, fish 'n chips or tapas.

Located in St-Chef, this pub combines modernity and friendliness with a menu created using local produce. On the premises or to take away, let yourself be seduced by tasty and generous recipes accompanied by one of our 5 craft beers.À la carte : Our home-made burgers : Le Big Daddy: Charolais minced steak (150g), grilled bacon, cheddar cheese, pickled onions, gherkins, bread from the local baker. Le Yeti: Melting cheeses (Emmental and Raclette), Dijon sauce. Le Hipster: Vegetarian option with potato pancakes, beetroot and goat's cheese. Local and Convivial Dishes Fish ‘n Chips: Fillet of Isère trout in homemade beer batter. Chicken Wings BBQ with Jack Daniel's: Perfect for sharing. Gourmet Plates Charcuteries and Cheeses: Artisanal and award-winning products. Hot Rocks: Hot selection with tempura, onion rings and croquettes. For children Children's menu : Chicken tenders or kids burger with local produce. Home-made desserts Brownies and custard. Homemade sorbets, including Tanzanian chocolate and lemon. For lunch, various set menus are available.