Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Ré, Gothic abbey ruins in La Flotte, France
Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Ré is a ruined medieval abbey on Île de Ré featuring surviving stone walls and Gothic arches that reveal the original structure. The remains display the typical layout and architectural details of a religious community from that period.
Cistercian monks founded the abbey in 1156, transforming it into a major religious center on the island. Destruction came in 1574 during the Wars of Religion, leaving only ruins that remain visible today.
The ruins reflect the Gothic style that shaped religious buildings across western France during the medieval period. Walking through the site, you can see how the monks organized the different spaces for their daily life and worship.
The site is open year-round for visitors and offers free access to explore the ruins and surrounding grounds. Wear sturdy shoes since you will walk across uneven and rocky surfaces throughout the location.
The stones from the abandoned abbey were repurposed in the 17th century to build the nearby Fort de la Prée military fortress. This recycling reveals how the local community transformed the former religious site into fortifications to protect the island.
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