The former Maurist Abbey at Saint-Florent-le-Vieil is now a cultural complex. Its remarkable architectural setting regularly hosts a variety of cultural events, including exhibitions, concerts and film screenings.
Although the abbey takes its name from the hermit Florent, who is said to have settled on Mont Glonne at the request of Saint-Martin in order to evangelise the area, it is not attested to until the 8th century. Partly destroyed by the Vikings who settled for a time at the foot of Mont Glonne, on the Île Batailleuse, it was rebuilt in the 11th century. At that time, it covered a vast territory: thirteen parishes in the Mauges region, which provided regular income for the monks. The monks were the lords of this territory until the 18th century.
The Wars of Religion destroyed the abbey. In 1637, only the choir of the abbey church remained, and the Saint-Maur congregation began a total reconstruction of the monastery and part of the abbey church, in accordance with the 3 Maurist principles: practicality, sobriety and solidity. The complex was enclosed by a wall through which the Croisille gate bearing the abbey's coat of arms was pierced.
During the Revolution, the monks were expelled and the abbey was used as the administrative headquarters of the district, then temporarily as a prison. In October 1793, 5,000 republicans were imprisoned there and in 1794, 2,000 Vendéens awaited execution at the Champs des Martyrs. Later, the cellars were used as a refuge for Florentais whose houses were in ruins. The buildings, which had become national property, were sold and restoration work began throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to give it its current appearance. The cloister can still be seen today, along with some fine vaulted rooms, cellars and a magnificent chapter house.
Today, the Maurist abbey is a cultural centre with unique exhibition spaces. Throughout the year, the Mauges-sur-Loire cultural department offers a programme of free contemporary art exhibitions, as well as concerts, shows and film screenings in the various vaulted rooms, cellars and Julien Gracq auditorium. Since 2023, it has also been home to a Mauges-sur-Loire Micro-Folie.
Partnerships have been set up with local cultural players, as well as with the Maine-et-Loire department, the FRAC des Pays de la Loire, the Maison Julien Gracq, etc., to develop high-quality projects with visual artists from all over the world.
