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
Round off your visit with a stroll through the abbey gardens, a garden ‘à la Française’, designed in the 1990s according to plans imagined by the architect François Le Duc in the 17th century. After visiting the abbey, stop to admire the church of Saint-Hilaire at Melle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Mines d’Argent des Rois Francs, (Silver Mine) watch a 3D film and have a guided tour of the underground galleries.
Don’t forget to call in at the Maison des Fromages de Chèvre at Celles-Sur-Belle. This discovery centre all about goat’s cheese is great fun to visit and is also the opportunity to try different local cheeses.
The Musée du Poitou Protestant at Beaussais is very interesting and the guided tour explains the history of the Protestants of Poitou told by a school teacher.
At the heart of Chizé national forest, Zoodyssée is a 30 hectare animal park with 70 species of European animals. Book beforehand to follow the keepers around and watch them at work. In summer there are educational activities to know more about the animals.
Discover Deux-Sèvres with Gites de France Deux-Sèvres : Boat trips on the Marais Poitevin, Château d'Oiron, Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park"
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