Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, a sublime town in the Isère region, was named “France’s Favourite Village 2025”on France 3 this Wednesday, July 2. A great first for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region!
Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, a Gothic jewel in the heart of Isère
With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, colorful facades and majestic Gothic abbey, listed as a historic monument since 1840, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye transports visitors into a timeless medieval atmosphere. This village of less than 1,200 inhabitants is also an emblematic stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Dominated by its sumptuous abbey, a veritable architectural masterpiece, the village has an authentic character, with its old market hall, typical roofs and grand mansions… an open-air setting that seems to have stepped straight out of another century.
A show that celebrates the living heritage of our regions
Since 2012, “Le Village préféré des Français”, hosted by Stéphane Bern on France 3, has honored the heritage of our villages. Each year, 14 communes are selected by the production team, then put to the public vote. This 2025 edition saw Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye prevail over 13 other villages, including Malestroit (Brittany) and Semur-en-Auxois (Burgundy), which came in 2ᵉ and 3ᵉ positions respectively.
A fine accolade for this pearl of Isère, and an unprecedented victory for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
A must-see getaway this summer for lovers of history, architecture… and charming villages just a stone’s throw from Lyon!