Remiremont Abbey Church

Remiremont Abbey was founded around 620 by Romaric, a lord at the court of Chlothar II. The men's monastery disappeared perhaps during the 9th century. Around 818, the nuns adopted the more flexible Rule of St. Benedict and settled in the Moselle valley below. They kept the name of the founder, Romarici Mons (Romaric's mount) which later became 'Remiremont'. A market town grew around the monastery. In the Middle Ages, its estate was the largest in the region.

Gradually, the women at Remiremont stopped following the Benedictine rule and became secular canonesses, who did not take perpetual vows, and were free to resign their prebendary and marry. Remiremont was very exclusive. Canonesses were admitted from those who could give proof of 200 years of noble descent. Enriched by the Dukes of Lorraine, the kings of France and the Holy Roman Emperors, the canonesses of Remiremont attained great power. The canonesses lived independently within the abbey with their own circle of friends and servants.

The abbey church consecrated by Pope Leo IX in 1051, at which time he granted Remiremont exemption from episcopal oversight, reporting to the Pope.

In the 17th century the canonesses of Remiremont took the title of countesses. In church they wore long white mantles trimmed with ermine. They were obliged to live at the abbey three months in the year in gentile houses built in a large enclosure around the church. Many kept carriages and gave balls, concerts, and other entertainments.

The last abbess, under the Ancien Régime from 1786 until 1790, was Louise Adélaïde de Bourbon, the daughter of Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé. She was prioress of the Monastery of the Temple at her death in 1824.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Place de Mesdames 3, Remiremont, France

Details

Founded: 1051
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)