The ruins of the Benedictine abbey sit on the left as you head down toward Villenauxe-la-Grande. Founded under Clovis I, this was a major center for prayer and study that faced significant hardship over the centuries. In 1658, Protestants burned the abbey, which was already struggling to recover from previous damage.
In 1674, the monks left the abbey to take refuge in a house in Villenauxe-la-Grande. They moved with them a Romanesque gateway from Nesle, as well as their stables, a bakery, cellars, a brewery, and a press. In 1790, the mayor of Villenauxe recorded the desires of each religious and took an inventory of their belongings.
These goods were sold in 1791, and both the church and their house were destroyed. While the church ruins date from the 11th century, the buildings of the former abbey have since become private property. The abbey remains listed as a historic monument.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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