Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The abbey of Sainte-Marie de Boulaur, originally priory fontevrist, was founded in 1142 by Pétronille de Chemillé, abbesse de Fontevraud, with the support of the archbishop of Auch and the count of Astarac. This monastery, among the poorest of the order, was abolished at the French Revolution, then restored in the 19th century before being abandoned in 1903 following the laws of expulsion of congregations. His name, Bonus Locus ("Good Place"), inspired that of the village of Boulaur.

In 1949, Benedictine nuns revive monastic life by adopting the Cistercian rule. The community, initially modest (5 nuns in 1979), grew after 1981 thanks to the influx of vocations linked to the cause of beatification of Claire de Castelbajac. The abbey, erected in 1990, swarms in 1998 towards the abbey of Rieunette near Narbonne. In 2020, it has 27 nuns and is distinguished by organic agricultural production (fromage, jams, beer).

The architecture of the abbey blends Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles, with a church with thick buttresses, a bedside with cut strips, and a 17th century cloister with a 13th century Virgin with Child, nicknamed the Belle Dame de Boulaur. The frescoes of the 14th century adorn the vaults of the choir, while wrought iron grilles of the 18th century decorate the foreground. The monastery, registered with historical monuments in 1972, combines medieval heritage and contemporary dynamism.

The community, led by abbesses like Marie-Pia Le Thomas (1990-2000) or Emmanuelle Desjobert (since 2012), lives on its permaculture farm and the sale of processed products. In 2022, eight nuns joined Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey, marking a new stage in its spiritual and economic reach. The project of a 21st century Cistercian barn, respectful of local architecture, illustrates its ecological and heritage commitment.

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