The abbey of Saint-Maur is located in the town of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, in the Val-de-Marne, a few kilometers south-east of Paris.
Originally called "Saint-Pierre-du-Fossé" abbey, it was founded in 636 by the regent Nanthilde (widow of King Dagobert).
In 868, thanks to King Charles the Bald, the monastery received from the Abbey of Glanfeuil (today Saint-Maur-sur-Loire) the relics of Saint Maur, disciple of Saint Benedict. A pilgrimage is unsaturated and in the 13th century, the abbey will change its name in favor of "Saint-Maur de Fossez".
In the meantime, prosperous thanks to numerous donations, the abbey has become renowned and in its Romanesque buildings, it is also a reference on a spiritual and religious level. It is a real monastic school where the monks produce precious manuscripts (now preserved in institutions such as the National Library).
The Hundred Years War put a stop to this prosperous period. A new collegiate church was however built in the 16th century. However, from the following century, the buildings threatened ruin and a fort was built. In 1751, the site was sold to the Prince of Condé and then demolished. A final chapel was closed during the Revolution.
During the 19th century, excavations were carried out and a new dwelling was erected by the owner of the premises. It is a neo-Renaissance villa located in place of the old stables.
Nowadays, only rare remains of the abbey remain, however protected as historical monuments: the Rabelais tower (which frequented the monastery) dating from the 14th century, elements of the former abbey and the apse of a chapel. They adjoin a public garden.
Guided tours are offered by the city museum. Information on +33 1 48 86 33 28.
