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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Augustinian convent of Crémieu, also known as the Augustinian cloister, is a former religious building located in the town of Crémieu, Isère (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Founded in the late Middle Ages, its construction began in the 14th century, but the majority of the buildings, including the sober and regular cloister, date back to the 17th century. The wrought iron gate, work of art of 1715, marks the entrance of this place originally dedicated to the meditation of Augustine monks. The site includes parts, a central basin, and a church transformed after the Revolution.

Originally, the convent was created by John II of Vienna to welcome hermits of Saint Augustine, a begging order. The works span several centuries: the bell tower was built in 1508 on a defence tower, and the cloister was rebuilt in the 17th century. During the Revolution, the convent became communal property and lost its religious vocation. In 1831, a door was opened to connect the cloister to the place of the Nation. Ranked a historic monument in 1906, 1961 and 1967, it now houses the town hall and is partially visited.

The architecture of the cloister, clean and rhythmic, reflects the ideal of Augustinian simplicity. Regular vaults and the absence of superfluous ornaments create an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. The Augustine Gate, classified in 1981, and the historic halls (heater, chapter hall) bear witness to its monastic past. The convent thus illustrates the evolution of a religious place towards a civic function, while preserving its architectural heritage.

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