Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint-Maixent, being probably the most valuable possession they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and from then on transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. The narthex is very impressing. I have the impression, that the architect, who did this, had seen Saint-Benoît sur Loire before. Saint-Benoit is much more massive, but the idea of a narthex-tower can be seen there as well. To the very right is the portal to buildings of the former monastery.