Les Ormes - Prieuré de Saint Sulpice

The "Priory of Saint Sulpice" is located about 4km south east of Les Ormes, near the "Château de La Fontaine". The priory was depended from the Benedictine "Abbey of Noyers", founded near Nouatre (16km north) in 1030.

In 1035 land was given to the abbey here, so the the abbey could establish the priory soon after. The size of area was defined by what "could be ploughed by six oxes within a day" (~10 acres). This makes clear, that the monks installed a working farm here, producing food and funds for the abbey. This is still clearly visible, as many buildings of the priory still exist. Over the centuries a small hamlet grew up around the (fortified!) priory.


The priory is privately owned since the French Revolution. We were lucky, to meet the owner, who not only allowed us to enter the premises but also showed us the priory and told us many details of it´s history.

Merci beaucoup!

The priory existed through many wars and feuds including the Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion. Most of the graffiti here were carved in after the Revoltion, when the monks had left.

This large graffito is older. It was hidden behind a wall, that was installed, when the newer chapel was still used.

It is mysterious. Seen are probably a couple of graffiti, maybe done in different times. The very large rectangular structure reminds me on to a quartered flag with a diagonal cross (saltire, "St. Andrew's Cross"), a common heraldic symbol. Then, there is the letter "M". The crosses (especially the large one) remind me on graffiti done by pilgrims.

Strange are two "nose/eyes"-heads. The similar "Kilroy"/"Mr Chad" graffiti date back to the 1940s, these ones are probably some centuries older.