Abbaye de Fontaine-Daniel, Romanesque abbey in Saint-Georges-Buttavent, France.
Abbaye de Fontaine-Daniel is a Romanesque abbey in Saint-Georges-Buttavent featuring substantial stone walls, a central cloister surrounded by four wings arranged in a quadrilateral pattern. A chapel stands near the adjoining pond.
The abbey was founded in 1204 by Juhel III of Mayenne and received papal recognition from Pope Gregory IX in 1226. The site later transformed as it moved away from its religious role over the following centuries.
The abbey displays medieval Cistercian monastic design through its organized layout and distinct spaces. Visitors can still observe how the different areas once supported the daily rhythm of monastic life.
The site is located roughly 4 kilometers from Mayenne and welcomes visitors through guided tours available for individuals and groups. Allow adequate time to walk through the different sections at a comfortable pace.
In 1806, Parisian industrialists converted the former abbey into a spinning mill, harnessing water power from the nearby Fauconnier pond. This transformation reflects how religious sites adapted to new economic purposes during the industrial era.
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