• Prieuré Notre Dame

  • Prieuré Notre Dame
Français

Discover the priory of Tusson and the remains of its Romanesque architecture. At the beginning of the 12th century, when Robert d'Arbrissel (founder of the Order of Fontevraud) passed through, the local lord gave him the church and the land, but without the consent of the abbey of Nanteuil-en-Vallée, on which the church depended. The monastery of nuns was founded, but it was not until 1118 that the dispute with the abbey of Nanteuil was settled. The Notre-Dame priory, attached to the Order of Fontevraud, was one of the most important and prosperous: in the 17th century, there were still 26 nuns! The size of the surrounding wall also illustrates the extent of the site. Almost nothing remains of this powerful monastery, following its sale as national property during the French Revolution. Of the elevated remains, the fortification tower, which dates from the Romanesque period, must still be removed. Only a powerful pillar, flanked by four large columns, surmounted by magnificent capitals sculpted with palmettes and foliage, shows that this church was vaulted with a double row of domes on pendentives: a unique example! Archaeological surveys have shown that the monastic buildings were organised around a cloister to the south of the old church.


Opening time

All year round, daily.

Prices & payment methods

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