Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The priory of the Paravis, founded in the 12th century near the confluence of the Garonne and the Auvignon, was a mixed priory of the order of Fontevraud. It was established thanks to donations, including that of Amalvin du Paravis and his wife around 1130, and that of Gautier I du Fossat around 1100. This priory became one of the most important monastic ensembles of Aquitaine, with separate buildings for nuns (near the church) and monks (to the west, under the title of Priory Saint John of the Habit).

In the 16th century, the priory adopted the reform of Fontevrault in 1522 and suffered damage during the Wars of Religion. In 1569 he was ravaged by Protestants, looted and burned, forcing the nuns to take refuge in Agen. It was rebuilt in 1570 thanks to the help of Marie de Monluc, daughter of Blaise de Monluc, and Marguerite de Valois. The cloister was completed in 1604 under the Priorate of Mary of Monluc, and the infirmary rebuilt in the seventeenth century.

The priory underwent several modifications until the 18th century, including the construction of a chapel in 1728 to house the relics of Saint Innocence. Sold as a national property in 1792, much of its buildings were destroyed. Today, there are remains of the cloister (classified in 1928), the doorway (classified in 1999), and all buildings listed in 1994. The furniture was dispersed, such as the altarpiece installed in Lamontjoie or the altar moved to Ligardes (Gers).

The priory of Paravis is the only priory of casturist monks still existing in France. Its history reflects the religious and political upheavals of Aquitaine, from its medieval foundation until its death to the Revolution. The current vestiges bear witness to its past importance, despite the destruction and partial sales, such as that of the upper cloister gallery in the United States in 1895.

External links