Glanfeuil Abbey

Glanfeuil Abbey, a Benedictine monastery, had its origins in the 9th century in the village of Saint-Maur-sur-Loire. The initial founding of the abbey lacks reliable records, but excavations in the late 19th century suggested a possible Merovingian monastery built upon the ruins of a Roman villa. The first historical mention of Glanfeuil dates to the mid-8th century when it was owned by Gaidulf of Ravenna, who depleted its resources, leaving it in ruins.

Around 830, Count Rorgon I of Maine and his wife Bilichilde took on the task of restoring the abandoned abbey. Abbot Ingelbert of Saint-Pierre-des-Fossés sent monks, including the count's brother Gausbert, to aid in the restoration.

In 835, Count Rorgon petitioned King Pippin of Aquitaine on behalf of his relative Ebroin to regain control of Glanfeuil, which had been placed under Abbot Ingelbert's authority by Emperor Louis the Pious in 833. Ebroin later became the Bishop of Poitiers and appointed Gausbert's son Gauslin as abbot. In 847, Charles the Bald confirmed Ebroin's right of possession of the abbey, which remained within his family. During Abbot Gauslin's tenure around 845, the supposed remains of Saint Maurus were discovered.

In 862, due to the threat of Norman attacks, Abbot Odo and the monks left Glanfeuil, taking St. Maurus's relics with them to Saint-Pierre-des-Fossés. The original monastery was rebuilt and thrived until its suppression during the French Revolution in 1790.

In 1890, Glanfeuil Abbey was refounded in the existing structures by Louis-Charles Couturier, O.S.B., the Abbot of Solesmes Abbey, as part of his efforts to revive monasticism in post-revolutionary France.

In 1901, the monks were forced to leave France due to anti-clerical laws and found refuge in Baronville, Belgium, eventually settling in Clervaux, Luxembourg. They dissolved the existing monastery and founded a new one dedicated to St. Maurice.

Over the years, the abbey premises changed hands, belonging to the Assumptionists until the 1980s when they sold it to the Apprentis d'Auteuil, a charity for orphan education and training. Later, it was acquired by the departmental council of Maine-et-Loire.

Today, the former Glanfeuil Abbey is managed by the O.V.A.L. association and serves as a center for residential courses for schools and a holiday center during term breaks.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Saint-Maur-sur-Loire, Le Thoureil, France

Details

Founded: 9th century AD
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Frankish kingdoms (France)