Listed among the most beautiful villages of France, Lavaudieu in Haute-Loire stands peacefully on the banks of the Senouire, 9 kilometres east of Brioude.
A charming place for a relaxing stroll, this wonderful village is renowned for its Benedictine abbey. Founded in the 11th century by Robert de Turlande, the abbey boasts a remarkable, perfectly preserved Romanesque cloister, unique in Auvergne! Another gem to admire in the abbey is the splendid refectory fresco from the 12th century, inspired by the Byzantine style, depicting Christ in Majesty above the Virgin surrounded by the Apostles. Topped by a Romanesque octagonal bell tower, the abbey church houses superb wall paintings from the Italian School, dating from the 14th century.
Then take the time to stroll along the village's narrow streets and along the Senouire to admire its golden stone houses with rounded tile roofs, the two-storey bell tower at the Abbey of St. Andrew and the old bridge with several arches spanning the river. A most picturesque scene...
To learn about daily life in the old days, head to the Haute-Loire Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, based in an old baker's house, where you can discover a reconstruction of a traditional Auvergne interior, as well as many objects from everyday life and the trades of bygone times.
