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Origin and history

The priory of Sermaize is a former grandmontan priory located in Nieul-sur-Mer, Charente-Maritime, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Founded in the 12th century according to sources, it would have been established under the impulse of King Henry II Plantagenet. This monument, first of all prosperous, was looted during the Hundred Years' War, which ended its splendour.

In the 16th century, in 1568, the priory was abandoned by the religious, then transformed into a distillery in 1689. It was only in 1990 that the Society of Archaeology and History of Aunis undertook work on clearing and cleaning the site, revealing notable architectural elements. Among them, the barn retains a 13th century door on its southern wall, while the north wall has another door and two flamboyant style fires, characteristic of the 15th century.

The priory has been partially protected since 18 February 1925, when its most remarkable elements — the 13th century gate of the barn's southern wall, as well as the north wall with its door and its two fowls — are listed as historical monuments. These remains bear witness to the architectural and historical evolution of the site, between medieval period and subsequent transformations.

Today, the priory of Sermaize remains a testimony to the religious and architectural history of the region. Although its original use has disappeared, its inscription in the heritage preserves the memory of this place, linked both to the greatmontain order and to the upheavals of the Hundred Years War.

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