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©BertrandRieger
©Titia Carrizey-Jasick
© Bertrand Rieger
© Bertrand Rieger
©PhilippeRoy
Saint-Amand-de-Coly
Abbey was extremely
prosperous all through
the XIIIth century, with
up to nineteen priories
attached. Today only
the Abbey church
subsists, but since 1980
archaeological digs and
surveys conducted on
the site, have revealed
notably, the cloister wall.
The Abbey hotel-restaurant is the ideal
place to stop off and take in the distinc-
tive atmosphere around the church.
Travellers can savour local regional
produce and get some rest in the peace-
ful traditionally decorated rooms. This
year the restaurant is moving to a spot
just opposite the abbey.
Bed and Sustenance
in the Village
A Fortress-like Abbey
The construction of the abbey
(above)
was started in the XIIth century at the time
of Abbot Guillaume, whose tomb lies in the north chapel. The church was fortified
during the Hundred Year’s War (1337-1453) to protect the village and its religious
community from warlike attacks. The visible section of the church’s defence system
is an indication of the site’s strategic importance, which extended over a surface of
more than 64,583 square feet. The village’s carefully restored streets lead to the abbey
keep and bell-tower. Proudly standing just short of a hundred foot high, the structure
towers over the village and the surrounding countryside.
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