In the heart of Regional Park Livradois Forez, La Chaise-Dieu (“The Seat of God”) offers a unique setting and unspoilt forests, deep valleys and rivers very pure, rich architectural heritage, cultural and musical prestigious and peaking at an average altitude of 1000 m.
When in 1043, Robert Turlande leaving the canons of Brioude looking for a more ascetic life is on the granite plateau he moved to 1082 m altitude, between Auvergne and Velay. La Casa Dei (house of God) was born...
Soon joined by hundreds of followers, in 1050 Robert founded a Benedictine monastery with many dependencies, beaming to Europe.
Three centuries later, a former monk La Chaise-Dieu becomes Pope under the name of Clement VI. Very attached to his original abbey, he wanted to be buried in an abbey church worthy of his time.
The construction of the present Gothic church began in 1344, under the orders of the supervisor of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. The façade, towers and tower Clementine were completed in 1376 in a style combining religious art and architecture defensive.
From that glorious past of this city rich then 4000 inhabitants, we have a remarkable heritage, reclaimed over time and setting of the prestigious La Chaise-Dieu Music Festival, founded in 1966 by the Hungarian pianist Georges Cziffra.
Do not forget to admire the Dance Macabre, amazing fresco of the fifteenth, the beautifully carved choir stalls which surround the tomb of Clement VI in the choir of the abbey.
