Abbey of Saint-Chef in Dauphiné

Tradition attributes the foundation of the monastery to Saint Theuderius (Theudère or Theodor). His Life was written in the 9th century by Saint Ado, archbishop of Vienne in Dauphiné. According to this account, Theuderius was native to these lands, is said to have been trained at Saint-Honorat de Lérins (Alpes-Maritimes), and was a disciple of Bishop Caesarius of Arles. He later settled in Vienne, from where he founded several monasteries in the region; the best known would be that of Val Rupien, established on lands belonging to his family. At his death in 575, he was buried here, and the site first took the dedication of Saint-Theudère, later replaced by that of Saint-Chef.

A period of prosperity then followed, during which the abbey gathered a considerable number of priories and churches under its dependence. Over time, various modifications were made to the church, including the construction of the transept with chapels and the painted decoration. In the 13th century conflicts arose between the abbots of Saint-Theudère and the archbishops of Vienne, who asserted their authority in 1280. In 1320 they assumed effective control of the house, which was henceforth placed under the direct authority of the archbishopric. The monastery then became known as Saint-Chef, probably because of a reliquary containing the head of the founder — or perhaps of another saint — venerated here.

The church survives, retaining some 10th-century elements despite later alterations, notably the addition of the transept with two apsidal chapels opening from each arm. The building has three aisles divided into seven bays. The wall paintings of the second half of the 11th century are among its most remarkable features.