The abbey of Bois-Aubry in the Indre-et-Loire

The abbey of Bois-Aubry in the Indre-et-Loire

Source and license: Daniel Jolivet / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, resized

Explore a 12th-century monument featuring Romanesque and Gothic architecture, once home to an Orthodox community and now a private site.

The abbey of Bois-Aubry, a monument historique in Bois-Aubry, France, dates back to the early 12th century. The abbey is a remarkable witness to Roman and Gothic architectural styles. Originally built as an oratory dedicated to saint Michael, the original priory was erected as an abbey in 1138 under the Archbishop of Tours Hugues d'Étampes. The site has traversed various historical periods, including the religious wars, the French Revolution, and the abuses of modern times.

Mentioned by several popes, the abbey conquered its royal letters under the crowns of kings Louis XI and Charles VIII, who participated in its embellishment. It was the abbatiat of Charles de Ronsard in 1544, the brother of the famous poet. In 1978, the buildings of the abbey were purchased by an Orthodox monastic community which occupied the site until 2006. Restoration campaigns were carried out during this period, during which time a gisant (effigy) from the 12th century was discovered. Since the end of 2006, the abbey has been owned by Marc-Olivier Gribomont.

Today, the site of the abbey of Bois-Aubry is a private site, but guided tours are available under certain conditions.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

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Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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