Prieuré de Meillerie, Fortified priory in Meillerie, France.
This priory is an Augustinian religious settlement featuring a fortified defensive tower from the 13th century with arrow slits on multiple levels. The attached church displays stained glass windows that depict Saint Augustine.
Augustinian canons first settled this site around 1130 and gained judicial authority over Meillerie in the 13th century through grants from local nobles. This administrative power eventually sparked disputes with neighboring communities.
The library here held religious texts alongside cookbooks and practical manuals, showing how the monastic community balanced spiritual study with daily life. This blend of intellectual and practical knowledge shaped the character of the religious settlement.
The site offers guided tours during weekends in summer months, and group visits can be arranged throughout the year. It is best to check local information before planning a visit.
This was not merely a religious site but served as an administrative and judicial hub, a role that sparked serious tensions. Residents of nearby Évian actually raided and plundered it in 1314 due to these disputes.
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