This is Maillezais and its old abbey !!!

Posted in Europe, France

We have driven in the area and would like to have an imprint in my blog on the wonderful towns of my belle France, There is so much to see , doing my best, and glad found me these pictures in my cd rom vault, which now transposing in my blog for you and me, Therefore, here is my take on this is Maillezais and its old abbey !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The village of Maillezais is located in the Vendée department no 85 , in the Pays de la Loire region of my belle France. The village old abbey is situated 14 km from Fontenay-le-Comte, 26 km from Niort , 49 km from La Rochelle, 70 km from La Roche sur Yon, 459 km from Versailles, and 269 km from my current home from where we came on my road warrior trails in the region, We took the N165 voie express dir Nantes, get around the beltways N444 and N844 to exit/sortie 48 Porte des Soriniéres to connect with the A83 dir La Roche sur Yon, but get off at exit/sortie 8 by Fontenay le Comte to connect with the D938T which after roundabout becomes the D20 road or Route de Fontenay continue same road to village of Doix lès Fontaines where it becomes the D68 road dir Maillezais before the center of village bear right onto Rue du Grand Port and the abbey,

The Saint-Pierre Cathedral Abbey ruins of the former abbey church, became the cathedral of the Diocese of Maillezais between 1317 and 1648. It is famous for the ruins of its Gothic abbey dating from the 13-14C. A treasure of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture : exceptional carved elements illustrate the power of the Abbey between the 11C and 16C, A spectacular view of Maillezais and the Marais Poitevin from the abbey viewpoint, An interactive course integrating virtual reality to relive the golden age of the monastery : discover the life of Benedictine monks through video reenactments The ruins still visible are the refectory, the dormitory, the kitchen, the salt cellar, the ramparts with turrets, as well as the north side of the cathedral (bell tower, nave and transept). A dwelling built towards the end of the 19C is visible on the site of the former episcopal palace.

Around the year 1000, Abbot Theodolin was granted the entire island on the condition that he build a new abbey in place of the castle, the stronghold of the Dukes of Aquitaine. And in 1010, Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux was transferred to Saint-Pierre de Maillezais. From then on, the sovereigns of this duchy were crowned and buried at Maillezais Abbey. William the Great, Count of Poitiers and Duke of Aquitaine, died there in 1030. He was buried in the cloister (now gone underground). His sons William and Eudes, and the Bishop of Poitiers, Gislebert, also chose to be buried at Maillezais. It had become the richest Benedictine abbey in Poitou. It was in 1518 that Geoffroy de Madaillan d’Estissac became abbot, thanks to King Francis I. It was a scholar who granted his protection to François Rabelais, then a student at the Cordeliers of Fontenay-le-Comte. Rabelais became secretary to the Father Abbot, tutor to his nephews, and stayed in Maillezais for 14 years.

The abbey cathedral was abandoned in 1666. It was sold as national property in 1791 during the French revolution, It was systematically destroyed by a building materials merchant in the 19C. In 1840, it returned to individuals who decided to maintain its remains. What remained of the abbey was transformed into a troubadour residence. The General Council of Vendée purchased Maillezais Abbey in 1996.

Other thing to see here , me think is the Church Saint-Nicolas it dates back to 1020. Certain elements of the church allow it to be dated more precisely to 1140. The church has a single nave. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of mariners. Ruined during the Wars of Religion, it was converted into a saltpeter workshop during the French revolution. Between 1850 and 1910, it underwent several restoration projects, which left few truly ancient features. The bell tower, the nave and its pottery roof, and the choir date from this period. The extensive restoration of the nave was completed in 1910. The stained-glass windows date from the 1970s.

A bit of history I like tell us that in the 10C, William Tête d’Étoupe, Duke of Aquitaine, owned a hunting lodge here. A first monastery was built, followed by a second in the early 11C.The village was chosen as the seat of a new bishopric in 1317, following the dismemberment of the bishopric of Poitiers. On January 1, 1589, during the Wars of Religion, Maillezais was captured by the Protestant Agrippa d’Aubigné, who became its governor. He resided there when, starting in August, he was entrusted with the supervision of Cardinal Bourbon, imprisoned at Fontenay-le-Comte. In 1648, the village lost its episcopal seat to the newly created bishopric of La Rochelle. One noted resident was François Rabelais, writer, secretary to Abbot Geoffroy d’Estissac at the abbey.

The village of Maillezais on its heritage see old abbey : https://www.maillezais.fr/index.php/accueil/decouvrir-maillezais/le-tourisme/visiter-absolument

The Vendée dept 85 cultural site on the abbey : https://nossites.vendee.fr/abbaye-de-maillezais

There you go folks, a dandy area to explore and enjoy with the family, Memorable moments in my belle France, driving all over in my road warrior trails brings out sublime awesome spots with nice memorable family visits of yesteryear always remember and always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again hope you enjoy the post on this is Maillezais and its old abbey !!! as I. 

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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