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Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges, also known as Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, was built around 1210 as part of an Augustine abbey in Angles, Vendée. This priory, founded at the end of the 11th century (circa 1075-1080) by William the son of Herbert to fight against Viking invasions, housed regular canons of Saint Augustine. Transformed into an abbey in 1342 after the election of the first abbey, Pierre Mesnard, the site suffered heavy damage during the Hundred Years' War (1371) and the Wars of Religion (16th century), which destroyed the monastic wings and part of the church.

The nave, an angeline Gothic style (late 12th–early 13th century), is distinguished by its ribbed domes and its exceptional width of 11.40 meters, perhaps inspired by oriental architecture via Richard Lion's Heart or Savary de Mauléon. The restorations of the 17th and 19th centuries, after partial collapses, altered certain elements (surmountation of the walls, addition of foothills), while preserving medieval remains like an atlante in the southern absidiole. The local legend evokes a gargoyle petrified by Bishop Martin, supposed to "absorb the beauty" of young girls passing under her.

Ranked a historic monument in 1913, the church is now the only vestige of the abbey, the other buildings having been sold as national property in 1791. The restorations of the 19th century, including the restoration of the choir's sculptures and the addition of a two-part roof, allowed its preservation. The building, owned by the commune, remains an active place of worship within the parish of Notre-Dame de Lumière.

The abbey, originally conceived as an economic and religious center in the face of Viking threats, was managed by trading abbots from the 16th century, whose last general farmer was the father of General Belliard. The wars of Religion ended monastic life, reducing the church to a parish role. Its original Latin cross plan, with transept flanked by absidioles and Benedictine bell tower, is only partially preserved.

The west façade, reinforced in the 17th century after a collapse, now hides two blind gates surrounding the central gate. The current ground, raised by one metre, masks the bases of the original columns. Despite the destruction, the church preserves Romanesque elements (sudden arm of the transept, dome on pendants) and Gothic (define with domes), testifying to its architectural evolution over nearly five centuries.

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