The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, listed as an Historic Monument in 1840, and, as part of the Loire Valley, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 is situated where the three regions of Poitou, Anjou and Touraine meet, is one of the largest surviving monastic cities from the Middle Ages.
Since its creation nearly a thousand years ago by an eccentric monk, the Abbey has always been a ‘singular foundation’. A place of social diversity. The Abbey was run by an abbess, who gave shelter to men and women in the four priories: Sainte-Marie for the ‘contemplatives’, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine for the lay sisters, Saint-Jean de l’Habit for the monks, and Saint-Lazare for nuns caring for lepers.
The 13 hectares over which the various buildings are spread illustrate the importance of an Abbey that was directly attached to royalty. The reclining effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, of her husband Henry 2nd and of their son Richard the Lionheart, seen in the Abbey Church, are a reminder of this glorious past. To stroll along the cloister, to visit the chapter house or the kitchens of the Royal Abbey, gives an understanding of the daily lives of the nuns who lived here. Not forgetting its later incarnation, in the 19th century, as one of the toughest prisons in France .
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UPDATE AS OF 04 APRIL 2023
This is the setting for our European Rally for 2023.
The 4-star Fontevraud L’Hotel is located in the priory of this historic monument and is just 100m from the main Fontevraud Abbey. A visit to the Abbey is included for all guests. There is free on site parking.
Rally Programme:
Sunday 2nd July:
Monday 3rd July:
AM:
Lunch in Saumur (not included). A picnic lunch can be bought from the hotel @ €14 (tbc).
PM:
3.30pm: Drive to Le Cadre Noir (20 minutes drive)
4pm: Guided tour of Le Cadre Noir 1hr
Dinner (not included – make your own arrangements)
9.30pm: Night-time guided tour of Fontevraud Abbey
Tuesday 4th July:
AM:
PM:
Dinner (not included – make your own arrangements)
Wednesday 5th July:
AM:
Optional visits:
7pm: Drinks reception followed by Banquet.
Thursday 6th July:
AM: Depart.
If you would like to sign up for this, don’t delay, contact Chris Reed or Shaun Winfield on our dedicated email address je2023@joc.org.uk.
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