Prieuré de Chanteuges, Benedictine abbey on basalt rock in Chanteuges, France.
The Prieuré de Chanteuges is a Benedictine abbey set on basalt rock where the Allier and Desges rivers meet. The site includes a church, cloister, and several buildings arranged across the rocky slope.
The abbey was founded in 936 and gained support from powerful local lords and royal confirmation by 942. Later, it served as a refuge for monks displaced from other religious communities.
The church displays architectural features from different periods, blending Romanesque elements with later Gothic ribbed vaults added in the 15th century. This mixture allows visitors to see how construction styles evolved over time.
The site is open to visitors year-round without entrance fees. Parking is available nearby, making it easy to access the different buildings and structures on the property.
During the Wars of Religion, the priory sheltered monks from La Chaise-Dieu Abbey after their monastery was destroyed. This episode reveals how the site functioned as a crucial refuge during times of crisis.
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