Trifter

The Augustinian abbey of Sablonceaux in Charente-Maritime, France, was founded in 1136. The buildings suffered wars and dereliction. They were listed in 1907 but the complete restoration had to wait until 1962 thanks to the dynamic Minister of Culture André Malraux. Twenty years were necessary to achieve the works.

Tha abbey knew many proprietors and it is only in 1987 that a religious community «La Communauté du Chemin Neuf» settled in Sablonceaux, just after the premises were bought by the diocese of La Rochelle and Saintes. The abbey-church of Notre-Dame dates back to the XIIth century and was partially demolished during the French Revolution. It lost its Romanesque façade and two cupolas. The two transept aisles present barrel vaults and receive quadrangular absidioles on ribbed vaults decorated with gothic bays. The steeple on the South belongs to the XIVth century. The two arcaded floors are topped by an octogonal floor. A beautiful XVIIIth century reredos is found in the North arm of the transept. The flat apse is Gothic (XIIIth century) and was rebuilt after the destruction of the Romanesque apse during the Hundred Years’ War. The light floods through the three magnificent windows. The sculpture inside the sanctuary is quite discrete and in conformity with the monastic rule. The choir however is decorated with two centre voussoirs and a few capitals under the steeple include human figures and foliages.

The monks housings were rebuilt in the XVIIIth century. There is an arcaded gallery on the first floor with vast rooms, and a kitchen can be found on the ground floor. It was listed in 1989. The dorter is located above the chapter-house with its four Romanesque bays.

The « Porte de Bourgogne », gate of the abbey is baroque (1788) and reminds of the Manoeline architecture.

Located in the countryside in a very peaceful sector, and within a few kilometers from the busy beaches, the abbey of Sablonceaux welcomes the public for visits or retreats. Monastic handicrafts are also on sale. Everything here in Sablonceaux seems to call for meditation.

The abbey of Sablonceaux as seen from the West.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/abteisablonceauxvonwesten_1.jpg

Abbey of Sablonceaux, the steeple.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sablonceauxglockenturm_1.jpg

The abbey as een from the East.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/abteisablonceauxvonosten_1.jpg

Abbey of Sablonceaux, the chapter-house.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sab26_1.jpg

Entrance of the abbey of sablonceaux.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/SAB11.jpg

View towards the Gothic choir and cupola of the transept.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sablonceauxvierungskuppel_1.jpg

Abbey of Sablonceaux

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sab24_1.jpg

The baroque gate to the abbey.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sab27_1.jpg

The abbey of Sablonceaus as seen from the countryside.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/09/sab14_1.jpg