Lavaudieu: a picture-perfect village dripping with Medieval history

Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in south-central France, one hour south of Clermont-Ferrand, Lavaudieu is a picturesque medieval village that has retained its old-world charm. 

Its population of 250 people has hardly changed since the 1960s, and its timeless cobbled streets are lined with higgledy-piggledy village houses built from stone.

Lavaudieu sits on the Senouire, a 63-kilometre long river within the département of Haute-Loire. As well as its natural beauty, this area is known for art and history so it’s no surprise that Lavaudieu was selected as one of France’s most beautiful villages (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) in 1990.

A photogenic village

From the graceful bridge spanning the River Senouire to the winding streets lined with terracotta-topped houses, Lavaudieu is certainly photogenic. 

The surrounding hills topped with woodlands make a fine backdrop, while the pretty vegetable gardens and floral displays throughout the village bring added colour. Although not a large community, it offers plenty to explore and on sunny days the riverbanks offer plenty of options for a picnic.

Located in a former bakery, you’ll find the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires, a museum that houses a permanent collection as well as summer exhibitions. 

From home interiors to bygone crafts, visitors are guided through daily life in this region as it would have been in the 1800s, thanks to artefacts, furniture and historical displays. 

Lavaudieu’s abbey 

This village’s main claim to fame is the Abbaye de Lavaudieu, an impressive Romanesque priory that dates from the 11th Century. It was built by Robert de Turlande, a French nobleman who became a priest and later a Benedictine monk. 

Like many younger aristocratic sons, Robert studied for the priesthood, travelling to Rome to learn the order of St. Benedict and its commitment to caring for the poor, and when he returned to France, he amassed a large number of followers. 

After becoming abbot of the famous Benedictine convent, ‘La Chaise-Dieu’, Robert travelled 30km southwest to found another priory in 1057 in a spot known as Saint André de Comps, which became known as Vallis Dei (valley of God) and finally, in 1487, became Lavaudieu.

Around 1070, Judith of Auvergne – daughter of the Count of Auvergne – moved to the priory, which drew many other daughters of wealthy, noble families to join her as nuns. It was during this period that all of the ‘Romanesque’ buildings were constructed.

This structure is an architectural treasure that was raised to the status of abbey in 1719, but by the time of the French Revolution only 13 nuns remained; they were chased out of the buildings, which were taken as national property and the top of the spire was destroyed – hence its unusual appearance today. Robert himself died in 1067 and was canonized by Pope Clement VI in 1531, becoming the patron saint of La Chaise-Dieu convent, abbots, and hermits.

The abbey is open to visitors, so you can come and admire its octagonal bell tower, the Romanesque cloister and frescoes, and a beautiful Byzantine-style fresco in its refectory. Also take time to stroll around the gardens where you can follow in the footsteps of nuns from centuries ago, meditating and contemplating the glorious valley around you. 

Further afield

Once you’ve explored the village itself, the museum, the abbey and its gardens, you can head out on a longer walk through the natural landscape. The GR 300 hiking trail and the GRP Robe de Bure and Cotte de Mailles trails pass through the village, making Lavaudieu an ideal starting point for exploring the Allier Gorges and the surrounding countryside.

Tourism information here.