Foundation of the Abbey 1353 (≈ 1353)
Created by Eléonore de Comminges, mother of Gaston Fébus.
1574
Partial destruction
Partial destruction 1574 (≈ 1574)
Raviations during the Wars of Religion.
XVIIe siècle
Final withdrawal
Final withdrawal XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Departure of the nuns to Toulouse.
XIXe siècle
Construction of a castle
Construction of a castle XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
To the site of the ancient abbey church.
31 mai 2006
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 31 mai 2006 (≈ 2006)
Registration of remains and archaeological soil.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The vestiges in elevation and the soil of the plate plots of the site of the Salenques including the remains of the former abbey of the Salenques, of the parish church of Saint-Félix, of the former medieval castle of the Salenques and their medieval and ancient archaeological environment (see A2 211 to 216, 218, 219, 1549 to 1552; 208p, 209p, 220p (for their part to the northeast of a fictitious line extending to the northwest the southwest limit of Parcel 213 in the direction of Salenques Creek) , as well as the uncadastre road bordering to the northeast the Parcels A2 1550, 211 to 213, 216, cf. plan annexed to the Order): by order of May 31, 2006
Key figures
Eléonore de Comminges - Founder of the Abbey
Mother of Gaston Fébus, initiator in 1353.
Gaston Fébus - Son of Eleonore de Comminges
Foix Count linked to the history of the site.
Origin and history
The site of the Salenques, located in the commune of Bordes-sur-Arize (Ariège, Occitanie), is a major historical complex of the fourteenth century. It includes the remains of a Cistercian abbey, a parish church dedicated to Saint-Félix, and a medieval castle, surrounded by a rich archaeological environment, mixing medieval and ancient traces. This site illustrates the religious and seigneurial importance of the region under the Old Regime, with strata of occupation dating back to Roman times.
Founded in 1353 by Eléonore de Comminges, the mother of Gaston Fébus, the abbey of Salenques is the only abbey of Cisterciennes in the former county of Foix. It was ravaged during the Wars of Religion in 1574, leading to the gradual abandonment of the site by the nuns in the seventeenth century, who then took refuge in Toulouse. Remnants still visible today include the cloister area, walls of the capitular hall, and a vaulted hall, while many elements (choir of the abbey, burials, convent buildings) remain buried.
In the 19th century, a castle was built at the site of the old church, partially integrating its structures. The site, which was listed as a historical monument in 2006, also includes ancient remains and a historic road bordering the parcels. Private property, it bears witness to the architectural and religious evolution of the region, from Roman times to modern times, while maintaining a part of mystery related to its remains not yet exhumed.
