Nestled between the river Charente and the Boixe forest, the abbey has watched over the north of Angoumois for over a thousand years. Mentioned as early as 888, it was rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries thanks to the generosity of the Counts of Angoulême.
Built from the 12th century, it is one of the oldest churches in the city, with St. Peter's Cathedral nearby. Seriously damaged during the Hundred Years' War, a major modernization campaign is implemented in the second half of the fifteenth century.
The cathedral was built between 1110 and 1140 on the initiative of Girard II, Bishop of Angoulême, on the site of the old building that was burned down in 981. In the 19th century, restorations were carried out by the architect Paul Abadie. It removes the chapels added over the centuries, in order to restore the cathedral's "original" appearance. The bell tower is completely rebuilt and the interior is completely restored.
Neo-Romanesque project conceived in 1849 by Paul Abadie. The construction of the church was completed in 1856. The architect makes cohabit the Romanesque style outside and the Gothic style inside (vaulting). Paul Abadie is also involved in the realization of furniture.
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