Abbaye de Saint-André-le-Bas de Vienne, Medieval abbey in Vienne, France.
The Abbaye de Saint-André-le-Bas is a monastery in Vienne with a complete Romanesque cloister. The arcades are decorated with capitals featuring plant motifs inspired by Corinthian designs.
The monastery was founded in the 6th century by Duke Ansemond at the junction of the Rhône and Gère rivers. Over the medieval period it developed into an important religious center for the region.
The monastery served as the spiritual center of the Vienne region for centuries. The buildings show how monks practiced their daily faith in this secluded setting where two rivers meet.
The monastery is easily accessible on foot and offers many corners to explore. Take your time walking through the cloister and notice the details of the capitals along the way.
The church sits on an artificial Roman platform that once shaped the region. Beneath the western sections of the building, a vaulted passage from that ancient era remains.
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