Abbaye de Grosbot, Cistercian abbey in Charras, France
Abbaye de Grosbot is a former Cistercian monastery in a Charente valley with medieval stone buildings and classical additions from the 17th century. The complex includes a church, chapter house, and several residential structures arranged around courtyards and waterways.
The monastery was founded around 975 as an Augustinian community and joined the Cistercian order in 1166, leading to building changes and a reorientation of the community. The La Rochefoucauld family supported the abbey over several generations, which brought it wealth and influence in the region.
The name refers to the marshy ground that once defined the site, and the monks used this water resourcefully for their daily work. You can still see how the buildings are arranged around this water management system.
The site is only accessible by appointment or during Heritage Days and requires planning in advance. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the grounds are uneven and can be wet in rainy weather.
A network of canals and ponds from the Cistercian period shows advanced medieval water control techniques that remain partially preserved today. This system served not just for irrigation but also for fish farming and energy generation.
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