ABBAYE MAURISTE DE SAINT-FLORENT-LE-VIEIL

Although the abbey takes its name from the hermit Florent, it is only documented in the 8th century. Partially destroyed by the Vikings, who settled for a time at the foot of Mont Glonne, it was rebuilt in the 11th century. At that time, it covered a vast territory: thirteen parishes in the Mauges region provided regular income for the monks. The monks remained lords of this territory until the 18th century. The Wars of Religion destroyed the abbey. By 1637, all that remained of the abbey church was the choir, and the Saint-Maur congregation embarked on a total reconstruction of the buildings. The complex was enclosed by a wall through which the Croisille gate bearing the abbey?s coat of arms was pierced. During the French Revolution, the monks were expelled and the abbey was used as the administrative headquarters of the district, then temporarily as a prison. Later, the cellars were used as a refuge for Florentais whose houses were in ruins. The buildings, which had become national property, were sold, and restoration work began throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to give the abbey its current appearance. Today, the Maurist abbey is a cultural center, housing unique exhibition spaces. Throughout the year, the Mauges-sur-Loire cultural department offers a program of free contemporary art exhibitions, as well as concerts, shows and cinema screenings in the various vaulted rooms, cellars and Julien Gracq auditorium. Since 2023, it has also been home to a Mauges-sur-Loire Micro-Folie. Partnerships have been set up with local cultural players, as well as with the Maine-et-Loire department, the FRAC des Pays de la Loire, the Maison Julien Gracq, etc., to develop high-quality projects with visual artists from all horizons.