Blasimon - Abbaye Saint-Nicolas

The Benedictian abbey in Blasimon, dedicated to Saint Nicolas, was probably a "filiation" of the abbey in Saint-Jean-d’Angély (180kms north). Since 1166 it was linked to the Abbaye de La Sauve-Majeure (50kms west, near Bordeaux). Just like Sauve-Majeure, the Abbaye Saint-Nicolas is in ruins.

The large complex was erected between the 12th and the 15th century, but only this tower, used as a pigeonnier, the church in the background and a tiny part of the cloister have survived.

Many churches in the area, erected in the late 12th century (eg Castelviel), were built after the "model" of this portal. No tympanum, just lavishly decorated, carved archivolts. An architecture like a Roman triumph arch.