L'Étanche Abbey, Medieval monastery in Lamorville, France
L'Étanche Abbey is a religious complex in Lamorville featuring a church with a single nave and two bays, a projecting transept, and a polygonal choir built in 1770. The site reveals different periods of construction and modification accumulated over the centuries.
The abbey was founded in 1144 by Philippe of Belval and supported by Bishop Albéron de Chiny along with local nobles from the Faverolles area. These early patrons established the foundation for the religious community that would develop here.
The monastery operated as a shared religious community housing both monks and nuns, with visitors traveling to the nearby Priory of Benoîte-Vaux for spiritual reasons. This arrangement of separate male and female communities under one administration shaped the spiritual life of the region.
The site is in fragile condition due to vandalism and extended abandonment, though it has been officially protected as a historical monument since 1984. Visitors should expect limited access and take care when exploring the grounds.
Abbot Jean François Joseph Boucart assembled an extensive collection of medals and books at the abbey, which scattered after the French Revolution. This impressive gathering reflected the intellectual life and resources of the community at its peak.
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