Hundred Years' War 1337–1453 (≈ 1395)
Medieval Convent devastated during the conflict.
1562
Wars of Religion
Wars of Religion 1562 (≈ 1562)
The Protestants ravaged them.
1627
Arrival of the Heavenly
Arrival of the Heavenly 1627 (≈ 1627)
Monks settle in the "new convent".
1778
Dissolution of the Order
Dissolution of the Order 1778 (≈ 1778)
Final departure of the celestine monks.
1789–1799
Sale as a national good
Sale as a national good 1789–1799 (≈ 1794)
Confiscated during the French Revolution.
14 décembre 2010
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 14 décembre 2010 (≈ 2010)
Official protection of the building.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The inner courtyard and surrounding buildings, once forming the former convent and currently acting as a presbytery, excluding the classified parts (C 409); the cloister and the buildings surrounding it, as well as the pillars of the gate opening onto the aisles, once forming the new convent, housing the town hall, the communal school and various services, to the exclusion of the parts classified (C 672): inscription by decree of 31 March 2000 - The facades and roofs of the "old convent" of the Celestines, currently presbytery, excluding the interiors (C 1144); the facades and roofs of the "new convent", currently town hall, communal school and museum, excluding interiors, as well as the pillars of the gate opening onto the alleys (C 672): classification by decree of 14 December 2010
Key figures
Moines célestins - Religious occupants
Residing at the convent from 1627 to 1778.
Association diocésaine de Bordeaux - Current Owner
Géraud de Graves since XX/XXIe.
Origin and history
The convent of the Celestines of Verdelais is a former Catholic convent located in the department of Gironde, New Aquitaine. Founded at the site of a medieval convent destroyed during the Hundred Years' War (14th–15th centuries), it was rebuilt and enlarged in the 17th century to accommodate celestine monks from 1627. The "old convent", repaired after the wars of Religion (1562), then became the presbytery of the adjacent Church of Our Lady.
The dissolution of the Order of Celestines in 1778 led to the departure of the monks, and the convent was sold as a national good during the French Revolution. After centuries of transformation, the buildings, now known as Hostellerie Géraud de Graves, belong to the Diocesan Association of Bordeaux. They welcome spiritual retreats, pilgrimages, tourists and seminars, while being classified as a historical monument since 14 December 2010.
Architecturally, the convent is located in the heart of the village of Verdelais, at the eastern end of Les Allées, between the town hall and Notre Dame Basilica. Its history reflects the religious and political upheavals of France, from medieval conflicts to revolutionary secularization. The site, listed in the Merimée base, also illustrates the heritage adaptation of religious buildings to contemporary uses.
The original medieval convent, joined to the church of Notre-Dame, was already being destroyed before its partial reconstruction in the 15th century. The Wars of Religion (1562) ravaged him again, leading to his restoration and extension to the seventeenth century under the impulse of the celestine monks. The latter occupied the site until their order was abolished in 1778, marking a turning point in the history of the site.
Today, the building combines spiritual heritage and tourist function. The Hostellerie Géraud de Graves, managed by the diocese of Bordeaux, continues a vocation of welcome while preserving the historic character of the places. The 2010 classification devotes its heritage value, while its central location makes it an anchor for visitors to Verdelais.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review