Abbaye d'Asnière

Abbaye d'Asnière is a medieval Benedictine monastery set within wooded grounds that brings together religious and residential spaces. The complex features a church with transept and choir sections, an abbatial lodge, guest buildings, a chapter house, a barn, and a dovecote, each representing construction from different periods.

The monastery was founded in 1129 and grew into a substantial complex over the following centuries. Religious conflicts in the 1500s caused significant damage to its structures.

The name comes from a nearby chapel that once stood in the area, connecting the abbey to its local surroundings. Walking through the grounds, you can see how monastic life shaped the arrangement of buildings and how each structure served specific daily needs.

Because this site is privately owned, visiting requires advance planning and arrangements with the property owners. Contact ahead to confirm access and to see the preserved buildings and interior spaces.

Part of the church was dismantled in 1857 to salvage stone for other construction projects in the region. This left only the transept and choir standing, making them survive as fragments of medieval building craftsmanship.

Location: Cizay-la-Madeleine

GPS coordinates: 47.17516,-0.19104

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:24