Beaulieu-en-Rouergue Abbey, Gothic abbey and art museum in Ginals, France
Beaulieu-en-Rouergue Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in the Seye valley with Gothic elements like pointed arches and large windows. The stone buildings show typical medieval construction and now serve as a museum for art collections.
The monastery was founded in the 12th century as a Cistercian community and operated for centuries as a religious center. During the French Revolution it was seized from the church and later became a farm before being restored as a museum.
The abbey displays modern artworks by artists like Jean Dubuffet and Henri Michaux within its medieval rooms. This mix of old architecture and contemporary art creates an unusual space where visitors experience both periods at once.
The building sits in a quiet valley area and is easy to reach once you know the route from the nearest main road. Plan several hours to explore the gallery rooms and cloister, as there is much to see throughout the complex.
The art collection here grew from selling a valuable artwork that helped rebuild the decaying buildings. This unusual way of funding allowed an abandoned site to become a living art center.
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