Marmoutier - The Abbey

Marmoutier, founded in the late 6th or 7th century by Saint Leobard was a community of Irish monks under the Rule of St. Columbanus. It was important Merovingian abbey in Alsace, that introduced the Regula Benedicti in 728. Monastic reformer Benedict of Aniane was abbot here, when (his friend) Louis the Pious (son of Charlemagne) was in power.

The westwork-facade seen here was built around 1140/50), it has a lot of carvings, of which some seem to be older. Here a lion with a nimbus looking to heaven. The rear part of the lion reminds me of a duck (without wings).