Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Notre-Dame de Vaas Abbey, located in the commune of Vaas en Sarthe, is a Marian and royal abbey whose origins date back to a Carolingian foundation around 790, according to the cartular of Cormery Abbey. However, the first visible architectural traces, such as the bases of the choir and the apses in russart sandstone, date from the late 10th century, indicating a primitive Romanesque construction. The canons then followed the rule of St Augustine. This monastery played a strategic role in ensuring the crossing of the Loir. A local legend attributes to the abbey confiscated property in Ganelon, the felon of Roland's Song.

In the 12th century, the abbey was rebuilt thanks to financial support from the Plantagenets, adopting a primitive Gothic style. The first known abbot, Geoffroy, was mentioned in 1161. The church suffered major damage in 1370 during the Hundred Years War, destroyed by the English during the capture of the city by Du Guesclin after his victory in Pontvallain. The convent buildings, rebuilt by the pre-shows after their arrival in 1726, were demolished in 1981. Today, there is only the residence of the Abbé (present town hall), the monastic tower, the gardens and the parish church.

The church, mainly Gothic, preserves Romanesque elements such as the semicircular base of the choir and the apsal chapels of the transept. The unique nave, typical of the Augustinians, is illuminated by Gothic windows with interlaces, while the vaults date from the thirteenth century. A 13th century mural, depicting Christ in majesty, remains in the north abside, in poor condition. The abbey, placed in the beginning of the seventeenth century, then bears the title of "Royal Abbey". Sold as a national good at the Revolution, only the church escaped destruction.

Among the notable trading abbots, Léonore d'Estampes de Valençay, Archbishop of Reims and Abbé de Vaas, marked the history of the place before his death in 1651. The last abbot, Jean-Marie Charles Sioc'han de Keradennec, appointed in 1777, refused to take an oath in 1790 and died in exile in Germany. These figures illustrate the close links between the Abbey, the monarchy and the Church under the Old Regime.

External links