Bishop Godescalc of Le Puy commissioned the chapel to mark his return from the pilgrimage to Saint James in 951, and it was built in 969. The article names no architect. It stands on a volcanic plug 279 feet (85 m) high, reached by 268 rock-cut steps. Its summit is 187 feet (57 m) across. The altar slab is local breccia on a reused Gallo-Roman column fragment, and three stones from a dolmen are said to be built in.
In the 12th century it was enlarged with a nave, ambulatory, two side chapels, narthex, carved portal and frescoes. The Romanesque bell tower was modeled on Le Puy Cathedral.
A restoration on April 20, 1955 uncovered a hoard of medieval reliquary objects beneath the high altar. The Catholic Church uses it as a chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
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