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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Louroux Abbey, located in Vernantes, Maine-et-Loire, is one of the first Cistercian abbeys, founded in 1121 by Eremberge d'Anjou in thanks for the return of her husband Foulques V from Palestine. It became a flourishing establishment with up to 300 monks and overseen 17 affiliated abbeys, including Pontron and Bellebranche. Its architecture, originally inspired by Fontevraud, evolves towards the Gothic Angelvin with arches at the crossroads of warheads.

During the Hundred Years' War, the abbey was looted and destroyed, especially in 1357 by the Tard-Venus, who made it a fortress. Bertrand du Guesclin released her in 1370, allowing the monks to return. In the 15th century, Abbé Amouric strengthened the site with walls, moats and drawbridges. King René, after the war, supported the abbey with donations, including a stained glass window now preserved at the Musée Saint-Jean d'Angers.

In the 16th century, the abbey became a commende, losing part of its income. It was looted in 1572 during the Wars of Religion. At the Revolution, the monks were driven out, and a legend said that they had hidden treasures in the forest of Blot. In 1795, the site hosted a meeting of cabbage chefs. Much of the buildings were destroyed in 1852, and the stones reused to build a nearby castle.

Today, there are only ruins classified as historical monuments in 2008, including vestiges of the transept, the porch and a 15th century chapel. Archaeological excavations reveal an initial structure close to that of Fontevraud, with a nave "on the way". The site, private property since the Revolution, preserves traces of its medieval past and subsequent transformations.

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