Morienval - Notre-Dame

A Benedictine nunnery existed here for centuries. It was founded already within the 9th century. In 920 Carolingian Charles III (aka "Charles the Simple") signed a document confirming privileges bestowed to the convent by his grandfather Charles II (aka "Charles the Bald").

Since the end of the 11th century relics of Saint Annobert were venerated here, about the same time the erection of this church may have started. The process was slow.

The "Abbaye Notre-Dame de Morienval" existed upto 1745 and since then the church serves as a parish church.

The church was locked, but thanks to a friendly French couple, the doors were open after while. Waiting for the keys, I found this carving, mounted on a wall next to the church. A medieval abbess, holding crosier and bible, or the Virgin (crown? nimbus?) on a throne. Or saying the abbess represents the Virgin here. Morienval = Valley of Mary?