Saint-Maurin Abbey, Saint-Maurin, France

Saint-Maurin, the only village in France of that name, is named after the saint to whom the village's 11th-century abbey is dedicated. The abbey, parts of which still stand beside the village square, was built by Benedictine monks. Reliefs cut into the stone of an archway portray Maurin having the top of his head cut off and his brain spooned out.

The abbey was destroyed in the Albigeois war against the cathars, then rebuilt. It was again ravaged in the 14th century by English troops in the Hundred Years War. It was again rebuilt in the 15th century and subsequently attacked by Huguenots in the French Wars of Religion.

The abbey passed into the ownership of the village in 1645 and was never rebuilt. Many of the walls were demolished as a source of building stone but much of the main arch still stands. The monks' garden exists and so do the stables, now houses. The abbey is now a Monument de France and is being restored.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Madame L. (6 months ago)
Pretty quiet village. Superb abbey. Pleasant visit. welcome with a smile.

Philippe Durieux (3 years ago)
A place that is worth the visit. There is a museum run by the association, with friendly and motivated staff, but little resources. You can see the remains while walking through the village... very beautiful remains... A school was built in the remains of the abbey... on the tar the nails on the ground symbolize and mark the surface of the 'church...

Mathilde Meybeck (3 years ago)
An interesting walk steeped in history, the place is charming and the local hikes are very pleasant through the undergrowth among the quarstic rocks

Rashel Réguigne (4 years ago)
A nice visit to make if you are in the region. The place is run by a team of History and Heritage enthusiasts, I particularly recommend the guided tours by the Friends of the Abbey of Saint Maurin association. Please note, the website is being redesigned and you need to look at the new one!

Alex ARod (4 years ago)
Another beautiful stone church, typical of the area, I was not able to visit it so I have little information on it but they have an association that takes care of it and a Wikipedia page.

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