Foundation of the convent vers 1299/1300 (≈ 1300)
By Ægidius Colonna, on the location of the Bagets.
1487
Fire of Bourges
Fire of Bourges 1487 (≈ 1487)
Partial destruction of the convent.
fin XVe–début XVIe siècle
Major reconstruction
Major reconstruction fin XVe–début XVIe siècle (≈ 1625)
Refectory, dormitory, church and chapel Saint-Jacques.
début XVIIIe siècle
Redesign of cloister
Redesign of cloister début XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1804)
Important architectural changes.
1825
New entrance to the convent
New entrance to the convent 1825 (≈ 1825)
Construction of two houses and a gate.
20 juillet 1992
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 20 juillet 1992 (≈ 1992)
Protection of remains and soils.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Former convent, with the corresponding floors, 73 rue Mirebeau and rue Calvin (HV 202): classification by decree of 20 July 1992; The two houses and the gate, built in 1825, marking the current entrance of the former convent of Augustins, 73 rue Mirebeau; remains of the Conventual Church, 75 rue Mirebeau (HV 202, 196): inscription by order of 20 July 1992
Key figures
Ægidius Colonna (Gilles de Rome) - Archbishop of Bourges
Founded the convent around 1299/1300.
Jean Calvin - Religious Reformer
He preached at the convent in 1529.
Origin and history
The convent of the Augustinians of Bourges was founded around 1299/1300 on the initiative of Archbishop Ægidius Colonna (Gilles of Rome), former prior of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustin. The monks settled in the buildings of the former Sachet convent, an order abolished in 1274, located near the Saint-Priva gate. This site, occupied before 1261, was ceded to the Augustines after the abandonment by the Sac brothers.
In 1487, a great fire ravaged Bourges and partially destroyed the convent. The reconstruction took place at the end of the 15th and early 16th centuries, including the refectory, the dormitory, the convent church and the chapel of Saint James. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cloister was profoundly reshaped, marking a major architectural evolution.
In the 19th century, the entrance to the convent was renovated with the construction of two private houses in 1825, framing a portal on the rue Mirebeau (formerly rue des Augustins). This passage is now the main access. The remains, including the floors and remains of the church, were protected by an order of classification and listing as historical monuments in 1992.
The site occupies an island bounded by the streets Mirebeau, Calvin and Jean-Girard, once entirely dedicated to the convent buildings. Among the historical figures related to the site, Jean Calvin, who came to study at Bourges in 1529, was said to have preached there. The property is now shared between the municipality and individuals, with vestiges accessible via the Augustinian courtyard.
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