Fontevraud abbey

Fontevraud Abbey in the Loire Valley

In the village of Fontevraud L'Abbaye, within the Loire Valley, you'll find what is the largest collection of monastic buildings in all of France - almost a village in itself ! Founded in the early 12th century the abbey is set within a perimeter wall which was unfortunately not secure enough to withstand desecration by the Huguenots in the 16th century or partial destruction by the Revolutionaries in the 18th.

Napoleon had it converted into a state prison in 1804 and it remained so until 1963 -its most famous inmate being the writer Jean Genet. Since then it has seen a constant period of restoration removing the damage time had inflicted on it.

Its history began with the formation of an unusual collection of monks, nuns and lay brothers who chose the location to form a community to care for the sick as well as worship. It's founder Robert d' Arbrissel decreed that the order should be governed by an abbess and it stayed that way right up to the revolution.

This holy alliance was given greater credence when its abbesses were appointed from noble families (voluntarily or otherwise) who gave the order great patronage and protection.

The most famous of these being the Plantagenets and it is here they chose to be buried -- you will find the effigies of Henry II king of England and count of Anjou, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine along with their son King Richard the Lionheart in the naive of the pristine abbey church.

There is an impressive visitors centre on the site and much to see including what is apparently the last remaining example of a Romanesque kitchen in France as well as the vast church, the chapter house and cloisters.

The Abbess who created the chapter house, Louise de Bourbon has left her mark along with others, with many of the scenes from the life of Christ that adorn the chapter house having Abbesses themselves painted into them, isn't vanity supposed to be a sin?

Try not to confuse the numbered locations on the site map with those for the audio guides (or take the audio guide) as you wander the complex or you will become just another 'lost soul' along with the many others - although this might be considered more fun and less 'stuffy'. You might also want to check out the acoustics in the 46 metre long refectory - missed opportunity here we think for some taped chanting or hymn singing to bring some life to the place.

Tip: As you enter the town you are 'encouraged' to park quite a bit away from the abbey but if you are early enough you can drive right up to the parking (signposted) a short distance from it's entrance

External links:

Link to official site: http://www.fontevraud.fr

On Wikipedia: wiki/Fontevraud_Abbey