Nestled in a bend of the Loire River, the town of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire is home to one of the most
beautiful jewels of Romanesque architecture: a 11th and 12th century basilica, guardian of
relics of Saint Benedict, father of Western monasticism.
The Abbey of Fleury is ffounded around 650 by Abbot Léodebode on the former Gallo-
Roman of FloriacusHis successor, Mommolus, organized a daring expedition around 660.
in Italy, at Monte Cassino, in order to save and bring back the bones of Saint Benedict. The arrival
The triumphant arrival of these relics at the Loire monastery ensured its spiritual and cultural influence.
considerable in the West. Its abbots, Theodulf, Odo, Abbo, and Gauzlin, are great
intellectuals who advise the powerful.
A few centuries later, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion ruined the
monastery and disrupt the regular life of the community. The French Revolution finally ended
disperse the last remaining monks. The monastic buildings were sold in 1797 to a
An architect from Orléans who dismantles them and sells the materials. The abbey church is
however saved and classified as a historical monument in 1840Several campaigns of
Restorations continued until the beginning of the 20th century. In 1944, a community of monks
from the monastery of La Pierre-qui-Vire (Burgundy) resettles on the premises and undertakes the
Reconstruction of the monastery. In 1947, the abbey church was elevated to the status of basilica by the Pope.
Pius XII. A Benedictine community of twenty-two monks lives there today under the direction
by Father Abbot Mathieu Gillet.
The current abbey church is the the result of three construction campaigns spanning from
early 11th century to late 12th centuryThe visitor can still admire the fabulous
historiated capitals of the porch-tower, the Italian pavement of the choir, the crypt where the
relics of the saint as well as the monumental sculpted tympanum of the north portal. And 200 meters from
Don't miss the Belvedere at the abbey! This interactive space invites you to discover the
Key stages of this history are presented through a fun and educational exhibition. The highlight
A highlight of the visit: the Belvedere terraces offer unique views of the basilica and its apse!
- Continue your exploration of the Loire Valley with the circuit The most beautiful castles and monuments of the Loiret which includes the Abbey of Fleury.
