a singular expertise within the coronary heart of the Loire Valley

In France, between Saumur and Chinon, within the coronary heart of the Loire Valley, the Abbaye de Fontevraud is a timeless place. Based almost a thousand years in the past, this abbey has loved a wealthy historical past. From a serious religious middle to the royal necropolis of the Plantagenets and a terrifying jail, Fontevraud is now a formidable cultural venue.

This abbey like no different can also be residence to a resort and a Michelin-starred restaurant, providing a visiting expertise distinctive in France in a historic monument.

So what’s the historical past of Fontevraud Abbey and what are you able to see ? An summary of this UNESCO World Heritage gem.

Article produced in collaboration with the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud

The historical past of Fontevraud Abbey

A visionary abbey born within the Center Ages

Based in 1101 by the itinerant preacher Robert d’Arbrissel, Fontevraud Abbey was distinguished from the outset by its progressive spirit. Removed from the norms of his time, Robert d’Arbrissel created a twin order there – associating a neighborhood of males and a neighborhood of ladies – positioned beneath the authority of an abbess, a non secular and social revolution for the Center Ages! 36 abbesses would thus succeed each other on the head of the abbey.

In a short time, Fontevraud turned a serious religious middle and unfold from Spain to England, the place quite a few priories had been established: by the point Robert d’Arbrissel died in February 1116, there have been almost thirty; by the top of the century, 100!

The Plantagenet necropolis: a spot steeped in reminiscence

The abbey will not be solely a religious Mecca: it is usually a prestigious royal necropolis. Certainly, the abbey was rapidly supported by the Counts of Anjou, and notably by the Plantagenets: Henry II and his spouse, Eleanor of Aquitaine, entrusted their two youngest youngsters there: Jeanne and Jean.

On the loss of life of Henri II Pantagenêt, Eleanor selected Fontevraud as her royal necropolis, within the picture of Saint-Denis for the Capetian dynasty. Her husband, who died in Chinon, is buried at Fontevraud. He was joined ten years later by their son Richard Coeur de Lion and, that very same 12 months, by their daughter Jeanne.

Aliénor, who died in Poitiers in 1204, completes this necropolis, becoming a member of the opposite members of her household for posterity. Their polychrome recumbent figures, preserved within the abbey church, represent one of the transferring medieval testimonies in Europe.

Within the early thirteenth century, the decline of the abbey coincided with the top of the Plantagenet Empire. Fontevraud rose from the ashes within the sixteenth century, when royal energy took management of the French church. Abbesses had been now not elected, however straight appointed by the king. 5 abbesses from the Bourbon dynasty succeeded each other at Fontevraud for nearly 150 years. They rebuilt the abbey and made Fontevraud a religious and mental middle of the primary order.

A radical transformation: from abbey to jail

With the French Revolution, Fontevraud underwent a profound upheaval. Along with the abolition of the tithe, which disadvantaged the abbey of an vital monetary supply, the ultimate blow got here when the clergy’s property was declared nationwide property. The monks had been evacuated from the abbey in 1792, the furnishings bought and the abbey looted.

In 1804, a Napoleonic decree reconverted Fontevraud Abbey right into a central home of detention, a perform it could retain for over 150 years, till 1963 !

From 1804 to 1814, the convent buildings had been extensively reworked, tailored to jail life. Paradoxically, this reallocation preserved the premises from the large destruction suffered by many different non secular buildings.

Initially designed to accommodate round 800 inmates, the Fontevraud energy station would home as much as 2800 from 19 départements! As a result of an structure ill-suited to this perform, with quite a few doorways and home windows, escapes had been feared and circumstances of detention had been very troublesome, a lot in order that Fontevraud is taken into account the harshest jail in France.

The renaissance of Fontevraud

In 1840, Prosper Mérimée, inspector of historic monuments, positioned Fontevraud Abbey on the primary listing of historic monuments. Nevertheless, this recognition didn’t result in speedy restoration work. It wasn’t till the early twentieth century, beneath the course of architect Lucien Magne, that Fontevraud’s abbey church and well-known kitchens had been totally restored. 1963 marked the definitive closure of the Anjou jail. The location was progressively positioned beneath the authority of the Ministry of Tradition.

In 1975, the abbey joined the community of cultural assembly facilities. From then on its cultural and creative vocation has been asserted via the staging of concert events, artists in residence, and exhibitions devoted to up to date creation and heritage. Since 2021, this supply has been accomplished by the presence of a Museum of Trendy Artwork bringing collectively the Martine and Léon Cligman nationwide assortment on the location.

Go to Fontevraud Abbey

Once you go to Fontevraud Abbey, it’s a whole go to that awaits you, the place historic buildings rub shoulders with up to date creation :

The abbey church

Underneath Twelfth-century vaulted ceilings, you’ll discover the royal necropolis of the Plantagenets, together with the graves of Eleanor of Aquitaine, her second husband Henry II Plantagenet, and her favourite son, Richard the Lionheart. The abbey church additionally homes the tomb of Robert d’Arbrissel, the abbey’s founder. He had wished to be buried humbly outdoors the church, however the abbess most popular to bury him within the choir, the abbey’s most sacred house and, by extension, the least accessible to the general public.

The cloister

The true coronary heart of the monastery, the cloister was utterly rebuilt within the sixteenth century, on the instigation of the de Bourbon abbesses. A spot for meditation, it means that you can transfer from one convent house to a different in a brief house of time.

The chapter home

It was on this room that the nuns got here to debate and change views on neighborhood affairs. The second most vital room after the church, it’s the abbey’s place of command. The nuns thus have a say within the administration of present and religious affairs. The murals depict episodes from the Ardour of Christ, with the abbesses of Bourbon within the foreground.

The refectory

As its identify suggests, that is the place the nuns took their meals, in a very austere environment. Meals had been certainly held in silence whereas a reader recited passages from the Scriptures.

The massive dormitory

This imposing quantity as soon as housed one of many abbey’s three dormitories. It now hosts non permanent exhibitions on historical past and heritage.

The Saint-Benoît complicated

Previously the nuns’ infirmary, this classical architectural construction is now residence to an exhibition devoted to the monument’s features and makes use of, from its origins to the current day. Modern works may also be seen within the cellars and water drains.

The kitchen

This stunning constructing, flanked by quite a few fireplaces, was a kitchen between the Twelfth and sixteenth centuries. Just lately restored, it now homes up to date artworks.

The jail gallery

This higher gallery surmounting the cloister galleries enabled warders to flow into extra simply. Right this moment, a everlasting exhibition revisits the jail historical past of the abbey with quite a few archive paperwork and testimonials from former prisoners and warders.

The Museum of Trendy Artwork

The Fannerie – an 18th-century constructing used as a secure, barn and granary – is now residence to Fontevraud’s Museum of Trendy Artwork.

Inaugurated in 2021, this museum showcases a powerful assortment bequeathed by the couple Martine and Léon Cligman. It options works by Degas, Delaunay, and Richier.

Sleep and dine at Fontevraud: a singular expertise

One of the best ways to reside the Fontevraud expertise to the complete is to sleep there. Housed within the former Saint-Lazare priory, Fontevraud l’Ermitage, a 4-star resort with 54 rooms and 1 Michelin-star restaurant, permits you to keep within the abbey in a relaxed, restful environment.

Spending an evening at Fontevraud holds an sudden and unprecedented shock : at dusk and whereas the day’s guests have left, you will have the privilege of strolling via the abbey, alone! Stroll via the abbey church, the crypt and the cloister, open only for you. Alone within the night silence, Fontevraud reveals a distinct face. The place seems extra spectacular, a little bit intimidating, and you’ll think about the wealthy historical past that its partitions have sheltered.

For these with a candy tooth, the Fontevraud expertise can proceed at desk. Within the former cloister of the Saint-Lazare priory, Michelin-starred chef Thibaut Ruggeri crafts connoisseur delicacies synchronized with the lunar calendar. The dishes characteristic native produce, a few of which comes straight from the abbey backyard, incomes the restaurant a inexperienced Michelin star.

Get pleasure from your keep in Fontevraud !

Sensible info

Article produced in collaboration with the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.
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