Mortemer Abbey Ruins

Lisors, France

Mortemer Abbey was originally built in 1134 on land gifted to the Cistercians by Henry I of England. The stagnant water of the drainage lake, dug out by the monks to dry up the marshy land around the quick running Fouillebroc stream, was called 'dead mere', 'dead pond' - in modern French 'morte mare' - and gave the monastery its name.

The monks constructed what was then one of the largest Cistercian monastery in the world. Over the centuries, the abbey fell into decline and disrepair. It was rebuilt in the 17th Century, but the decline was irreversible and by 1790, when it was dissolved in the course of the French Revolution, only five monks remained.

The 12th century buildings were already more or less derelict by the time of the French Revolution, and subsequent use as a convenient source of cut stone for local construction reduced them to little more than a ruin. Apart from the cloisters, which are relatively intact, there remains only a shell.

The 17th century buildings by contrast are well preserved and open to visitors, with guided tours available most of the year. The abbey site also has a well-maintained 17th century dovecote, which was also used as a gaol house in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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Details

Founded: 1134
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Pier de Bruyn (2 years ago)
A must seen ‘médiéval week-end’, enjoy local food, some passionate people, a fantastic ruine coupled with museum. There’s also a trail with some monuments, remind this is historic from 12th century.
F. Nobels (3 years ago)
Nice ruine with beautiful pond. Ideal for a nice walk.
Yuriy Tyukhnin (5 years ago)
Great place to visit, but beware it's a haunted abbey!
Laurens (6 years ago)
Beautiful walk.
Claudia Testut (6 years ago)
We liked the place, the atmosphere, the green all around, but the phantom museum it's not worth it...
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