A stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route (Way of St James) and one of France's Most Beautiful Villages, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye will delight fans of built heritage with its half-timbered old houses, medieval market hall and abbey founded in 1297 by the Order of St Anthony to house the relics of St Anthony of Egypt. Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye has preserved a remarkable building from its rich religious past: Saint-Antoine Abbey Church, built from the 13th to the 15th centuries. This Gothic building is a listed Historic Monument and possesses a magnificent carved portal. The interior holds much of interest for visitors and pilgrims, including frescoes, walnut choir stalls, Aubusson tapestries, a monumental high altar housing the reliquary of St Anthony of Egypt, and an organ dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also not to be missed is the treasure house of the Hospital Brothers of St Anthony (Antonines) in the church sacristies, which contains reliquaries, liturgical garments, surgical instruments and a Christ in ivory.
The Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye Departmental Museum, housed in the old noviciate, puts on exhibitions related to the Middle Ages, the abbey and the Order of the Antonines. You can also visit its medieval garden, located in the courtyard of the Great Stables (Grandes Écuries).
The village hosts a sacred music festival in the abbey church every summer, as well as a medieval festival, Saint-Antoine en Moyen Âge, with all sorts of entertainment, including shows, a market and medieval ball.