Prieuré de la Primaudière, Medieval priory in Armaillé and Juigné-des-Moutiers, France.
The Prieuré de la Primaudière is a medieval priory spanning two municipalities with structures in both Armaillé and Juigné-des-Moutiers. The complex includes a Gothic chapel dating from the 13th century and an 18th-century conventional building that housed various religious and monastic functions.
Local nobles granted the domain to the Grandmont order in 1207, who managed the priory for several centuries. After the monks departed in 1762, the site underwent various changes in its original religious purpose.
The chapel displays medieval wall paintings that remain visible today, showing the artistic tradition of the site. Visitors can observe the room layout with separate entrances for monks and worshippers, which reflects the religious life that once took place here.
The site remains protected as a historical monument and is not always freely accessible since parts are in private ownership. Visitors should check ahead about access opportunities, especially during regional heritage event days when visits are typically permitted.
Following the French Revolution, the religious complex was transformed into a glassworks in the 1830s and operated as a production facility for roughly two decades. This industrial period is largely forgotten today, though it represents an important chapter in the site's later history.
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