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Origin and history

The Abbey of Saint-Antoine-et-Saint-Pierre de Lézat, often called the Abbey of Lézat, is a former Benedictine abbey founded around 950 by Aton de Benoît, Viscount de Béziers. Located in Lézat-sur-Lèze in Ariège, it was first attached to the order of Cluny before passing under the dependence of the Abbey of Cuxa at the end of the 10th century. She then prospered, acquiring priories such as that of Saint-Béat in 1003, and then returned to Cluny's authority at the end of the 11th century. The church was entirely rebuilt around 1040 by Bernard, bishop of Couserans.

Tradition evokes an earlier foundation, in 844, by a certain Aton, bishop or Viscount, but the first authentic documents date from 940. An act of Charles le Chauve in 859 is mentioned in the cartular of the abbey. The abbey was then placed under the supervision of Saint-Pierre de Moissac Abbey, although she tried to free herself in 1236 and 1470. A transaction in 1474 ended the tensions between Cluny and Moissac.

The monks of Lézat claimed possession of the relics of Saint Anthony, claiming to have stolen them in the East. However, other abbeys, such as Saint-Antoine or Montmajour, also possessed relics attributed to the same saint. In 1768 only ten religious still lived there, and the abbey was abolished in 1776 by the Commission des regulares. Today, only remains of the medieval abbey, while the 18th century convent building houses the town hall.

The abbey has been included in the inventory of historical monuments since 8 November 1988. Among the remaining remains are some of the walls of the abbey and the abbey palace, called the priory. Its history reflects the rivalries between monastic orders and the religious transformations of the region.

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