Abbey of Val-Richer, Cistercian monastery in Saint-Ouen-le-Pin, France.
The Abbey of Val-Richer is a Cistercian monastery featuring a 17th-century wing with classical architectural elements set within landscaped grounds. The site sits approximately ten kilometers west of Lisieux in the Normandy region.
The monastery was founded in 1143 by Philippe de Harcourt, Bishop of Bayeux, as a center of religious life. It underwent major reconstruction in the 17th century but sustained damage during the French Revolution.
The abbey houses an altar crafted in the Louis XV style, which reflects the religious artistic heritage of Normandy through its refined decoration. The chapel furnishings show how the monks who lived here expressed their faith through carefully chosen artworks and appointments.
The site holds protected status as a registered historic monument with designations from 1991 and 2008 recognizing its importance. Plan to spend time exploring both the buildings and the landscaped grounds at a leisurely pace.
In 1912, physicist Conrad Schlumberger conducted groundbreaking electrical mapping experiments on these grounds that advanced geophysical science. These pioneering tests reveal how this place once served purposes beyond religious life.
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