Abbaye Royale de Celles-sur-Belle
The Abbey of Celles-Sur-Belle – an absolute must to visit in Pays Mellois
The Abbey of Celles-Sur-Belle is THE cultural place to visit in the Pays Mellois area. To whet your appetite for a visit, here’s a short history of the abbey. It all started with a little monastery in the 11th century which became and independent Augustinian abbey in the 12th century.
The Hundred Years’ War weakened the building but the Abbey rose from the ashes thanks to Louis XI. Hit with the full force of the Wars of Religion, it was later restored when Henri de La Rochefoucauld was Abbot. This restoration was the work of architect François Le Duc, known as ‘Toscane’, between 1676 and 1682 who created the splendid buildings we see today !
Discover this wonderful 17th century ensemble of convent buildings and all the secrets of its construction as you walk around. There is a wonderful museum on the first floor of the Abbey including a replica of a monk’s cell, the Abbot’s chamber, a room housing a model of the abbey and different rooms where sacred objects and ecclesiastical vestments are on show along with detailed explanations.
Finally, the detective novel « Secrets d'Abbaye en Poitou » by Alain Bouchon is set at the splendid Abbaye Royale de Celles-Sur-Belle so complete your reading by a visit or vice versa !
What to see and do around the Abbey of Celles-sur-Belle
Our selection of accommodations
Our new accommodations
Insolite
Tiny House - Le Grand Châtelier
in MELLE - Deux-Sèvres