Abbaye de Cormery

The Abbaye de Cormery is a Benedictine abbey in Cormery featuring the Saint-Paul tower, a Gothic chapel, and sections of the cloister gallery. These structures form the main surviving elements of the medieval monastic complex.

The abbey was founded in 791 by Ithier, abbot of Saint-Martin in Tours, and received abbey status in 800. This connection to Tours remained crucial to the establishment's development throughout its history.

The monks of this abbey operated water mills along the Indre River, shaping the region's economy through farming and craft activities. The complex served as a center for learning and religious practice in the medieval period.

Visiting this site requires advance reservations arranged through the Friends of Alcuin Association, which offers guided tours throughout the year. It is recommended to plan ahead and check availability before arriving.

The refectory building survived the French Revolution and subsequent renovations, preserving rare examples of medieval monastic architecture. This survival makes it an important record of how monks lived during that era.