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Origin and history

The Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is the church of an ancient Benedictine abbey, the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Montier-en-Der, founded in the 7th century by Saint Berchaire on a domain given by Childeric II. Situated between the Voire and Magnentin, it had 21 villages and housed prestigious relics, such as the diptych of the Nicomaque and Symmaque. The first inhabitants were prisoners bought by Berchaire, and the village developed around the monastery.

The present abbey, consecrated in 998 by the bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, was built under the abbatiate of Adson († 992) and completed by his successor Beranger. Its pre-Roman nave, among the oldest in France, and its Champagne Gothic choir (12th century) make it a unique architectural example. The abbey experienced its spiritual and intellectual climax with Adson, linked to the great figures of his time.

In the Middle Ages, the abbey was reformed several times, notably in 827 by Haudo, abbot of Stavelot, with the support of Louis le Pieux. In the 11th century, the nave was provided with stands and an anterior massif with towers, while the choir and facade tower were built around 1200. The 13th and 14th centuries saw the reconstruction of the monastic buildings and the choir, under the impulse of Abbé Ferry.

The abbey, given as a beginning in 1499, suffered damage during the wars (Cent Years, succession of Burgundy). François de Dinteville, bishop of Auxerre, made important repairs in the 16th century, including the reconstruction of the façade and the freeing of the inhabitants. In 1556 Cardinal Charles of Lorraine financed the repair of the bell towers and the fortification of the enclosure.

At the Revolution, the abbey, spared, became the parish church after the destruction of Saint Remy. In the 19th century, it was restored by Émile Boeswillwald (choir, axial chapel) and his son Paul (nef, bell tower). Damaged in 1940 by a bombardment, it was rebuilt in 1941 under the direction of Jacques Laurent. Today, only the abbey remains, classified as Historic Monument since 1862.

The site has been home since 1806 to the stud of Montier-en-Der, dedicated to the breed of Ardennes horses. The abbey buildings, razed in 1860, were replaced by buildings listed in the Historical Monuments in 2015. The Abbey marks the departure of the "road of the churches with wooden strips and stained glass of Champagne".

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