Prieuré de Fontblanche, Medieval priory in Genouilly, France
The Prieuré de Fontblanche is a monastery in Genouilly with three remaining buildings from the original square complex: a chapel, an east wing, and a south wing. The layout shows the typical arrangement of a religious community from that period.
The monastery was founded between 1140 and 1145 by Renaud IV of Graçay and belonged to the Grandmont order. The order was dissolved in 1772, marking the end of monastic life here.
The chapter house shows building details specific to the Grandmont order, with a doorway framed by three small columns that opens to the cloister. This layout reflects how the monks gathered here for their daily routines and community decisions.
The monastery is located on Route de Maray, where you turn at the farm buildings and find parking spaces available. The location is somewhat isolated, so wear sturdy shoes and check the weather before visiting.
The monks' sleeping quarters contain twelve windows and connect to a passage historically called the corridor of the dead. This name likely comes from its use as a route to the burial ground.
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