Chelles Abbey, Merovingian abbey in Chelles, France
Description
Chelles Abbey was a Benedictine monastery originally founded as a women's community and later expanded into a double monastery with a nearby male community. The complex included residential buildings, a church, and various workshops, with only fragments remaining visible today.
History
The abbey was founded in 657 by Queen Bathildis, wife of King Clovis II, on the site of an earlier Merovingian royal villa. It grew into an influential medieval center before suffering destruction during the French Revolution.
Culture
The scriptorium functioned as a center where nuns created and copied important religious texts that spread throughout medieval Europe, making it a knowledge hub.
Practical
The remaining structures are now integrated into the local government buildings in the center of Chelles and can be partially viewed while walking through the town. It helps to explore the area slowly to discover the scattered historical elements.
Did you know?
The Chelles chalice, a masterwork of early medieval metalwork crafted by Saint Eligius, was lost during the French Revolution. This object symbolized the high level of craft skill achieved in monastic workshops of that era.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Chelles).
Château de Champs-sur-Marne
2.8 km
Hospital of Ville-Évrard
3.7 km
Musée des transports urbains, interurbains et ruraux
939 m
Fort de Chelles
879 m
Fontaine Jean-Valjean
2.7 km
Castle of Gournay-sur-Marne
1.9 km
Église Saint-André de Chelles
590 m
Sempin Windmill
2.1 km
Château des Cèdres
2.9 km
Île de Vaires
2.5 km
Villa Max
622 m
Pierre de Chilpéric
151 m
Réserve naturelle régionale des îles de Chelles
1.3 km
Parc Arboretum de Montfermeil
2.6 km
Église Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul de Montfermeil
2.9 km
Le Parc de Maison Blanche
2.8 km
Église Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus de Gagny
2.5 km
Chapelle Sainte-Bathilde de Chelles
360 m
Église Saint-Arnoult de Gournay-sur-Marne
2 km
Pont Charles-de-Gaulle
1.7 km
Salle Jacques Brel
2.7 km
Town hall of Chelles
1 m
Église orthodoxe Saint-Séraphim de Serov de Chelles
1.5 km
Temple de l'église protestante unie de France de Chelles
1.1 km
Quai du Chenay
2 km
Esplanade du 11 Novembre 1918
2.9 km
Passerelle du Moulin
1.4 km
Croix de l'esplanade du 11-Novembre-1918 de Montfermeil
2.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes