Charlieu - L’abbaye Saint-Fortuné

Charlieu Abbey, founded already in 872 was dedicated to Saint Fortunatus, who like Saint Hilary, whom we met in Semur-en-Brionnais, was bishop of Poitiers (600/610). In 932 the abbey was annexed by Cluny, one of the first acquisitions of Cluny, that was founded 910.

Pope Urban II consecrated the new church here in 1094. This has been already the third church here. The narthex was added 1130. The layout of the church is similar to that one of the priory church in Anzy-le-Duc (25kms to the north). Both churches have architectural "roots" in Cluny II, that got demolished in 1088 to make room for Cluny III.

The Benedictine community went through the centuries, the village Charlieu prospered. Times got harder for the monks in the 18th century.

In September 1792 a Revolutionary mob broke into the abbey - and burnt all records. In 1795 the church was sold as a quarry for building materials. The eastern side of the church is gone since then. Of the church only the narthex and the westernmost bay still exist - as ruins. Some parts of the monastery, like the cloister, were reconstructed.

On the other side of the narthex, just around the corner from the delicately carved, but damaged tympana, is this carving of a monkey head. - A very different style - and untouched by the vandals. I love these carvings of exotic animals - and I have compared it to photos of mandrills.