Montreuil-sur-Mer - Abbaye Saint-Saulve

The name "Montreuil" derives from the Latin word "monasteriolum", what means "small monastery". Legends tell that a convent existed here in very early times. It is proven, that in 926 monks from Landévennec (Finistère / Bretagne) fled the Norman invasions and settled here.

They founded an abbey, that got dedicated to Sant Salve, after his relics were transferred to the monastery in 1111. A large Romanesque church, with an ambulatory for the many pilgrims, was built within the 12th century.

This church (and 5 more in Montreuil) collapsed in 1467, when a "natural desaster" hit the town. What exactly happened is still unclear. Earthquake? Whatever was left or rebuilt of the town then got vandalized by the army of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who, Holy Roman Emperor, ruled Habsburg Netherland.

The former abbey church, seen here is the result of many reconstructions. The lower part of the tower is probably from the 12th century.