Braine - Saint-Yved

In early medieval times Braine was the summer residence of Merovingian and Carolingian kings. It later became the property of the Capetian Counts of Dreux.

The relics of Saint Yved (= Yved de Rouen) were transferred to an abbey church in Braine already in the 9th century. From 1130 ths was a Premonstratensians abbey, founded by Saint Norbert in Prémontré, near Laon, just ten years ago.

The abbey church, seen here, was built at the request of Agnès de Baudement, wife of Robert I, Count of Dreux, who was the 5th son of Louis VI (aka "Louis the Fat").

The church served as a necropolis for the House of Dreux over centuries.

The buildings of the abbey suffered greatly during the Revolution, and were gradually demolished.

Unfortunately the former abbey church was locked.