Abbaye Notre-Dame de Josaphat, Medieval Benedictine abbey in Lèves, France
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Josaphat sits on the Eure riverbanks and retains cloisters along with ruins of its original church building. The site has been modified over time and now houses a residential facility for elderly and disabled residents on spacious grounds near Chartres.
The monastery was founded in 1117 and suffered damage from English attacks in the 1430s and 1460s. Later, Calvinist raids in the 1560s caused further harm to the buildings and their structures.
The abbey's lapidary collection displays medieval tombstones and stone figures from various periods. These carved works show how religious artistry was valued and maintained throughout the monastery's long history.
The property can only be viewed from the outside as it remains an active residential facility for elderly residents. The church interior is not open to visitors, but the exterior can be seen from the park grounds for a sense of the site.
The founder chose this location for its topographical resemblance to the Valley of Josaphat near Jerusalem. This symbolic link to sacred geography shows how Crusader ideals influenced the founding of this monastic community.
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