Saint-Jean d'Orbestier Abbey, Les Sables-d'Olonne, France

The Abbey of Saint-Jean Orbestier was founded in 1107. Nine centuries later it is still as imposing abbey church which has survived the abandonment of history, it is hard to imagine how the Benedictine monks have shaped the land and the local economy from this abbey.

In 1251 the first fire, whose origin remains unknown, ravaged the monastery. In 1340, the beginning of the Hundred Years War, British troops set fire to the new abbey. Two centuries later, the Wars of Religion caused the third destruction in 1569 and 1570. Protestants and Catholics fought over the land resulting in fire, looting and the confiscation of income and land.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, despite different modes of management and recovery efforts, the abbaye declined with the owners of the Abbey, the Diocese of Lucon declaring the permanent closure of the monastery in 1769. During the Revolution, the abbey was sold as national property. The church roof collapsed in 1912.

Today the church is restored.

References:

vendee-guide.co.uk

User Reviews

Corben Dallas (2 years ago)
Nice setting but exhibitions with a confidential vocation.

E P-H (2 years ago)
Very beautiful abbey with a bright interior which has become a place of culture and exhibition! This is an interesting visit for a family with children, the reception staff will be happy to explain the current exhibition to you in a few words!

Philippe bui (3 years ago)
A place with a rich history. Beautiful restoration and above all beautiful spiritual energy inside. Thanks for the show too.

Blain Jérôme (3 years ago)
Very pretty abbey and its surroundings, family visit

Stephen Boswell (4 years ago)
As mentioned by various French correspondents: the abbey looks beautiful from the outside, but it’s closed. The problem is that this site shows it as open - with its normal hours. Someone should update this, but also someone from the abbey or the commune, should put a panel on the gates telling if and when it is open. Come written by other French correspondents: beautiful but closed. This site indicates that it is open with usual hours. No one must change the hours and/or place a sign on the barrier.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Christian Lauw

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Saint-Jean d'Orbestier Abbey

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