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Origin and history

The Abbey of La Faize, founded in 1137 (or 1147 according to some sources) by the monks of the Abbey of Cadouin with the support of Pierre, Count of Châtillon, was a major stopover for the pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela. Located at the convergence of Via Turonensis and Via Lemovicensis roads, it played an agricultural, technical and spiritual role for local populations. From the late Middle Ages she passed under the regime of commende, with outside abbots like two members of the family of Montesquieu.

The abbey suffered heavy destruction during the Wars of Religion. In the 17th century, some of the buildings were rebuilt, including the cloister by master Étienne Jacolin. In 1709 the monks came to help the local population during the Great Winter. Sold as a national property in 1791, it was largely destroyed, leaving intact only the convent building. From 1972 to 2009, historian Maurice Druon carried out extensive restoration work and was buried there at his death.

Today, there is a long 17th-century building with a barn made of recovery materials, a west facade with triangular pediment, and interior elements such as 18th-century panelling and chimneys. The Abbey, classified as a Historic Monument in 1974 for its facades, roofs and archaeological remains, bears witness to its Cistercian past and its role in local history. The arches of the cloister, partially ruined, recall its original architecture.

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