Église abbatiale de la Bénisson-Dieu, Former abbey church in La Bénisson-Dieu, France
The Église abbatiale de la Bénisson-Dieu is a former Cistercian abbey church in the small village of La Bénisson-Dieu, in the Loire department of France. The building mixes Romanesque and early Gothic features, with round stone arches on the north side and rib vaulting in the central nave.
The abbey was founded in 1138 by Albéric, a follower of Saint Bernard, and started as a community of monks living in simple wooden buildings. In 1612 it became a community of women, and after the Revolution, when the other buildings were sold and demolished, the village bought back the church in 1817 to use it as a parish.
The church still serves as a parish today, welcoming local residents for Sunday masses and religious celebrations. Inside, light comes through old stained glass windows and falls on frescoes and stone sculptures that cover the walls.
The church sits in the center of the village and is easy to reach on foot. Visiting during daylight hours is the best way to see the stained glass windows and stone carvings inside.
The square bell tower added in the 15th century has a roof covered with colored glazed tiles arranged in a geometric pattern, which is unusual for a church in this part of France. This type of roof is more commonly seen in Burgundy, making it stand out in the Loire landscape.
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