Pays de la Loire

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started his remarkable career as a humble itinerant preacher. After a conflict with the bishop of Rennes, he was exiled to Paris, where he studied. The same bishop recalled him to the diocese later and appointed Robert to be an archpriest for reforming the clergy, what meant fighting simony, lay investiture, clerical concubinage etc. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that in 1093, after the bishop´s death, he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit and lived in the forest, but he did not stay lonely there. His piety, eloquence, sympathetic view of women attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. The same year, Pope Urban II, touring through France, after he had launched the First Crusade during the Council of Clermont, met Robert and appointed him "preacher second only to himself". Robert was not interested in the crusade at all. He left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, restarted his life as an itinerant preacher, addressing the poor. His eloquence and his his ascetic appearance, drew crowds. He again came into conflict with a bishop. In 1100, during a council in Poitiers, he was requested to give up his nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. A piece of land ("Fons Evraldi") was bestowed on him, where at 1001 Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. Robert invited people of every age and condition to join - "under the leadership of a woman". This may have attracted many noble and wealthy ladies, to join the convent. Robert himself could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 Robert died in the Priory of Orsan (Centre). At that time Hersende had already commissioned the church. The construction started in 1104. The monastery, Hersende had in mind, when she started the construction, should accomodate at least 500 nuns and "fratres". It actually is still today one of the largest monastic ensembles in Europe. From the very beginning the abbey had a strong support from the House of Plantagenet, who were Counts of Anjou at that time.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started his remarkable career as a humble itinerant preacher. After a conflict with the bishop of Rennes, he was exiled to Paris, where he studied. The same bishop recalled him to the diocese later and appointed Robert to be an archpriest for reforming the clergy, what meant fighting simony, lay investiture, clerical concubinage etc. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that in 1093, after the bishop´s death, he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit and lived in the forest, but he did not stay lonely there. His piety, eloquence, sympathetic view of women attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. The same year, Pope Urban II, touring through France, after he had launched the First Crusade during the Council of Clermont, met Robert and appointed him "preacher second only to himself". Robert was not interested in the crusade at all. He left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, restarted his life as an itinerant preacher, addressing the poor. His eloquence and his his ascetic appearance, drew crowds. He again came into conflict with a bishop. In 1100, during a council in Poitiers, he was requested to give up his nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. A piece of land ("Fons Evraldi") was bestowed on him, where at 1001 Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. Robert invited people of every age and condition to join - "under the leadership of a woman". This may have attracted many noble and wealthy ladies, to join the convent. Robert himself could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 Robert died in the Priory of Orsan (Centre). At that time Hersende had already commissioned the church. The construction started in 1104. The monastery, Hersende had in mind, when she started the construction, should accomodate at least 500 nuns and "fratres". It actually is still today one of the largest monastic ensembles in Europe. From the very beginning the abbey had a strong support from the House of Plantagenet, who were Counts of Anjou. Such a large ensemble needs TLC constantly.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started his career as an itinerant preacher. After a conflict with the bishop of Rennes, he was exiled to Paris. The bishop recalled him back later and appointed Robert to be an archpriest for reforming the clergy, what meant fighting lay investiture, clerical concubinage etc. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that after the bishop´s death, he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit, but he did not stay lonely in the forests. His piety, eloquence, sympathetic view of women attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. The same year, Pope Urban II, touring through France, met Robert and appointed him "preacher second only to himself". Robert left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, restarted his life as an itinerant preacher, addressing the poor. His eloquence and his ascetic appearance, drew crowds. He again came into conflict with a bishop. In 1100, during a council in Poitiers, he was requested to give up his nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. A piece of land ("Fons Evraldi") was bestowed on him, where at 1001 Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. He invited people of every age and condition to join - "under the leadership of a woman". This may have attracted many noble and wealthy ladies. Robert himself could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 he died in the Priory of Orsan. At that time, the abbey had 35 priories already and Hersende had already commissioned the construction of the church. The monastery, Hersende had in mind, when she started the process, should accomodate at least 500 nuns and "fratres". The apse, seen here, was consecrated by Pope Callixtus II in 1119. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political powergame in 1200. She died here in 1204 and in the nave of this church, once choosen as the burial place for the House of Plantagenet, is her tomb.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started his career as an itinerant preacher. After a conflict with the bishop of Rennes, he was exiled to Paris. The bishop recalled him back later and appointed Robert to be an archpriest for reforming the clergy, what meant fighting lay investiture, clerical concubinage etc. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that after the bishop´s death, he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit. His piety and eloquence attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. Robert left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, worked again as an itinerant preacher. His eloquence and his ascetic appearance, drew crowds. He again came into conflict with a bishop. In 1100, during a council in Poitiers, he was requested to give up his nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. A piece of land was bestowed on him, where at 1001 Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. He invited people of every age and condition to join - "under the leadership of a woman". This may have attracted many noble and wealthy ladies. Robert himself could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 he died in the Priory of Orsan. At that time Hersende had already commissioned the construction of the church. The monastery, Hersende had in mind, when she started the process, should accomodate at least 500 nuns and "fratres". From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political powergame in 1200. She died here in 1204 and in the nave of this church, once choosen as the burial place for the House of Plantagenet, is her tomb. Some of the "fratres" could not bear to live "under the leadership of a woman" - and left again, but the convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey into a prison. The abbey was a prison upto 1963! Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". Here is the western facade of the former abbey church.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started as an itinerant preacher, was exiled to Paris. Then was an archpriest fighting lay investiture and clerical concubinage. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit. His piety and eloquence attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. Robert left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, worked again as an itinerant preacher. His eloquence drew crowds and provoked the church hierarchy. So in 1100, he was requested to give up the nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. He himself could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 he died in the Priory of Orsan. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political powergame in 1200. She died here in 1204 and in the nave of this church, once choosen as the burial place for the House of Plantagenet, is her tomb. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey into a prison. The abbey was a prison upto 1963! Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The nave of the abbey church. To squeeze in more prisoners here, four floors were installed within this nave upto the renovation and rebuilding process. Thousands of prisoners have lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved with names and dates. Where the visitors gather are the tombs of the Plantagenets.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are four tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Isabella of Angoulême (1188 – 1246) (aka "Isabelle d'Angoulême") spouse of Henry II of England´s and Eleanor of Aquitaine´s son John, King of England (aka "John Lackland", "Jean sans Terre"), Queen consort of England, spouse of Hugh X of Lusignan, Countess of Angoulême.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. While Henry II holds a scepter, Eleanor seems reading a book. She died at the age of 82, but here she looks much younger. Somebody placed a rose on her effigy.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Isabella of Angoulême (1188 – 1246) (aka "Isabelle d'Angoulême") spouse of Henry II of England´s and Eleanor of Aquitaine´s son John, King of England (aka "John Lackland", "Jean sans Terre"), Queen consort of England, spouse of Hugh X of Lusignan, Countess of Angoulême. Richard was son of Eleanor and King Henry II (previous uploads), Isabella was their daughter in law. Richard´s effigy is carved from stone, Isabella´s from wood. Nobody knows why. I was very surprised of Richard´s shoe size. Maybe the marches to Jerusalem and back (3rd crusade) caused that. The way back home took very long, Leopold V, Duke of Austria and later Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, kept him prisoner between Dec. 1102 and Feb. 1104. 65,000 pounds of silver were delivered to Austria as ransom. Rumours say, that the more than 300 million "Maria Theresa Thalers", silver coins minted by the Austrians between 1751 and 2000 all contained at least some "English silver".

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Eldest son of Henry II of England. He commanded an "own" armee against his father at the age of 16. He was King of England since 1189. During the 3rd Crusade, he was one of the commanders, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France. Prisoner of Leopold V, Duke of Austria, and Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, between Dec. 1102 and Feb. 1104. England paid a ransom of 65.000 pounds of silver. Taxes rose, what caused local uproars in England. He died, after being wounded by a crossbow bolt during the siege of Chalus (Haute-Vienne), in the arms of his mother.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once a model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". The prisoners had to work here. Textiles were manufactured in large scale, looms stood probably everywhere. Mechanisation started early, a first steam engine worked here already in 1839. Many thousands of desperate men, women and children were imprisoned here. Prisoners lived (and died) here over more than 150 years. All walls of the abbey are covered with carved names and dates. Signs of life! Officially the abbey was a prison upto 1963, but the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983. By the way - the Abbey of Clairvaux had the same fate - and still is a prison.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started as an itinerant preacher, was exiled to Paris. Then was an archpriest fighting lay investiture and clerical concubinage. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit. His piety and eloquence attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. Robert left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, worked again as an itinerant preacher. His eloquence drew crowds and provoked the church hierarchy. So in 1100, he was requested to give up the nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. He could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 he died in the Priory of Orsan. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet, who had chosen this abbey as a burial place. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political powergame in 1200. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". After the last prisoner left Fontevraud in 1983, the abbey was rebuilt and renovated. Seen here is the former refectory.

Robert d'Arbrissel (1045 – 1116) started as an itinerant preacher, was exiled to Paris. Then was an archpriest fighting lay investiture and clerical concubinage. His reforming zeal aroused such enmity that he was compelled to leave the diocese. He became a hermit. His piety and eloquence attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded the monastery of La Roé. Robert left the convent and, living in the utmost destitution, worked again as an itinerant preacher. His eloquence drew crowds and provoked the church hierarchy. So in 1100, he was requested to give up the nomadic life and to settle down with his followers. Robert founded the "double monastery" Fontevraud Abbey. He could bear the sedentary life only for a short while. He appointed Hersende de Champagne (Heloisa´s mum?) to lead the convent and hit the road again. In 1116 he died in the Priory of Orsan. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet, who had chosen this abbey as a burial place. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political powergame in 1200. The convent was successful and existed upto the French Revolution. In 1804 Napoleon signed a decree, transforming the abbey (once model of the "ideal city") into a prison. Holding upto 2000 prisoners, the prison was known to be of the "toughest in France". This strange looking structure with the many small towers is - the medieval kitchen building. The towers are chimneys. Dozends of cooks must have worked inside, preparing meals for hundreds of nuns and fratres. A busy place in the 12th century.