Abbaye de Prières, Cistercian abbey in Billiers, France
Abbaye de Prières is a Cistercian abbey near the ocean with remains of a Gothic church featuring three naves. Conventional buildings surround a central cloister, and today a renovated chapel with the founder's tomb is accessible to visitors.
Duke Jean I of Brittany founded the abbey in 1251, with the first monks from Buzay Abbey arriving on October 31, 1252. The settlement then developed into an important religious center on the Breton coast.
The abbey takes its name from the prayers monks offered for shipwreck victims at this coastal location. This spiritual purpose shaped the place's identity and made it meaningful to local communities over many centuries.
The location in Billiers on the coast makes it accessible by car or local transport. Today the buildings house a rehabilitation center, though the renovated chapel remains open for visitors to explore.
The abbey received special permission from Pope Alexander IV to allow noble women to enter the community. This exceptional privilege strengthened ties between the clergy and local aristocracy during the medieval period.
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