Description:

Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

 

The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud situated near Saumur in Anjou was founded in 1101 by Robert Arbrissel.  Arbrissel was an itinerant religious reformer who had the support of Pope Urban II but who had gathered a significant number of followers including former vagabonds, lepers and reformed women of easy virtue. There was pressure from the ecclesiastical authorities for this travelling community to set down fixed roots and so the Abbaye de Fontevraud came to be founded. Actual construction began in 1105 and was completed around 1160.

 

The outstanding feature of this abbey, built in the Angevin Gothic style, was to accommodate both men and women in separate convents but each major ‘persuasion’ amongst Arbrissel’s followers was allotted its own monastery. So it came about that the Abbaye de Fontevraud comprises a number of convents and monasteries which can be seen today:

 

 

• Grand Moutier – This was the women’s convent
• Saint Jean de l’Habit – The men’s monastery
• Saint Lazare Priory – The lepers
• La Madeleine Convent – For former prostitutes and women who had withdrawn from the world
• Saint Benoit (St Benedict) – For the sick and infirm

 

Other unique areas to be explored are the Grand Refectory (45m long by 10m wide), the Salle Capitulaire and the Roman Kitchens (La cuisine romane)

 

One of the unusual features of Fontevraud is that throughout it’s time as a religious centre from 1115 until 1792 it remained under the direction of 36 successive women Abbesses, possibly reflecting that most of Arbrissel’s followers had been women.

 

During the period of the Crusades Fontevraud Abbey became a centre of power for Richard the Lionheart and at one time the Abbey had over 150 priories associated with it stretching from Spain to England.

 

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Abbaye de Fontevraud experienced something of a golden age, enjoying the support of wealthy families, local bishops and a succession of Popes. This enabled the Abbaye to be both well maintained and expanded with the construction of a number of new buildings. The golden era was to presage a darker period in the history of the Abbaye Royale.

 

The French Revolution and the Prison Years

 

On 2nd November1789 all religious buildings in France were taken under the control of the State and Fontevraud Abbey was no exception. The last Abbess, Julie-Gillette Pardaillan d'Antin, left the abbey on 25 September 1792. Twelve years later Napoleon I signed a decree would see the Abbey converted to a prison. Conversion works proceeded and the first prisoners were received around 1814. Fontevraud Abbey became one of the strictest, most feared and desolate prisons in France. The regime was strict and deaths were a daily occurrence. Today, prisoners’ graffiti can still be seen carved in some of the stonework giving an inkling of the despair experienced by those incarcerated there. It is reckoned that 75% of those locked up at Fontevraud were not criminals at all but may have been imprisoned for the most minor of misdemeanours.

 

Designed to hold 700 prisoners, even in the 1940s, Fontevraud regularly held more than twice that number and it was not until 1963 that the prison finally closed. Even then, about 40 trusted ‘open’ prisoners were retained to assist with gardening works and the removal of prison facilities.

 

Present Day

 

Nowadays, apart from being a major tourist attraction, the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud plays host to conferences, concerts and seminars and there is a varied programme of cultural events at the Abbey throughout the year.

 

Photos: 1. General view of Abbaye de Fontevraud, 2. Salle capitulaire, 3. Cloisters, 4. Roman Kitchen.

 

Opening Times:

The Abbaye de Fontevraud and its Gardens are open all year except 1st January, 1st May, 1st and 11th November and 25th December.

 

Opening Hours:

From 2 Jan-31 Mar : 10h-17h

From 1 Apr-30 Jun: 10h-18h

From 1 Jul-31 Aug: 10h-19h

From 1 Sep-31 Oct: 10h-18h

From 2 Nov-31 Dec: 10h-17h

 

Admission prices: (2010)

Adults: 4€ (reductions apply)

Under 18: Free

 

Duration:

Allow at least 1 hour

 

Address:

Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

49590 Fontevraud l’Abbaye

Tel.: +33 (0)2 41 51 73 52

 

Contact:

abbaye@abbayedefontevraud.com

 

Web:

Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

 

Travel Tip:

If touring the Loire Valley a visit to the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud might be combined with visits to the Chateau at Montreuil-Bellay (22 kilometres),  the Chateau at Brézé (about 12 kilometres) and/or the Château at Montsoreau (about 4 kilometres).

 

Have you visited Fontevraud Abbey? Why not leave any comments, suggestions or advice for fellow readers below?

 

 

Like this article? Why not use our RSS feed and receive updates as soon as they are posted? Or join us as a member and receive a monthly newsletter.

 

Check out Guide2Paysdelaloire for Property in Pays de la Loire, Events, News, Classifieds, Places to Stay, Pays de la Loire Attractions and Business Directory.