Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-la-Charité, Cistercian abbey in Neuvelle-lès-la-Charité, France.
Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-la-Charité is a Cistercian monastery set on a large estate with multiple buildings and grounds spread across agricultural and religious structures. The property features old mills, farm buildings, ponds, and an intricate network of channels and waterways designed to serve the community's needs for centuries.
The monastery was founded in 1133 by monks from Belvaux Abbey and developed into a prosperous community over the centuries. During the French Revolution in 1791, the abbey was sold as state property and lost its religious function.
The abbey was established by monks who lived according to strict monastic rules for centuries. Its buildings still carry the marks of this religious past, even though their use has changed over time.
The estate comprises historical structures that span different periods of construction over many centuries. When visiting, plan time to explore the grounds, as the buildings and water systems are spread across a substantial area.
The property preserves a remarkable medieval water system featuring underground passages, aqueducts, and canals that demonstrate the engineering skills of the time. This sophisticated network was essential not only for supplying the monks but also for managing the surrounding lands.
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