Fleury Abbey, Benedictine abbey in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, France
Fleury Abbey is a Benedictine monastery along the Loire River featuring a large Romanesque church with ornate carved capitals decorating its columns. The structure displays characteristic medieval stonework with thick walls and rounded archways throughout.
The monastery was founded around 640 and became a major center of Benedictine life over the following centuries. It endured through medieval times and later periods, maintaining its role as a religious community.
The monastery is home to a living community whose daily routines of prayer and work shape the rhythm of the place itself. You sense their presence throughout the day as they move between the church and their quarters.
The site sits near the Saint-Benoît-Saint-Aignan railway station, making it easy to reach from Orléans and surrounding towns. Plan to spend time walking the grounds slowly to appreciate both the building and the quiet surroundings.
The northern entrance features a distinctive sculptured doorway with carved religious scenes from the late medieval period. Few visitors notice these detailed stone reliefs, which show the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans who built the place.
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