Abbaye de Salival, Premonstratensian abbey in Moyenvic, France
Salival Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery located north of Moyenvic built from stone. The complex contains agricultural buildings, a brick chimney, and other structures that remain standing today.
The abbey was founded in 1156 by Mathilde de Salm-Hombourg with its first canons arriving from Justemont Abbey. Salt production sites were managed by the community, giving them economic roots in the local landscape.
The name reflects the salt springs that surrounded and shaped the community's economic life. The monastery served as a working center where local people could find employment and learn trades.
The site operates today as a private farm estate and is not open to public visits. The buildings have limited visibility from surrounding roads, so it is best explored as part of a broader tour of the Moyenvic area.
During Napoleon's rule the abbey was converted into a sugar factory where beets were processed into sugar. This transformation occurred in response to restrictions on colonial cane sugar imports, showing how the site adapted to changing economic demands.
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