Former Benedictine abbey of the 6th century, the abbey of Marmoutier takes place on the right bank of the Loire, in the town of Tours. Founded by Martin de Tours, it reached its peak in the Middle Ages, revealing dependencies extending as far as England.
Dismembered during the French Revolution, it was bought by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart who restored all the buildings to accommodate a private educational institution still in operation today.
Property of the town of Tours, the hillside and the old buildings preserved are accessible to visitors. Several vestiges are thus visible such as the caves of the first hermits, the chapel of the Seven Sleepers of neo-Byzantine architecture, the portal of La Crosse classified as Historical Monuments, the elements of the fortified wall of the 14th century, the house of the Grand Prior., the 11th century Bell tower or the Owl tower.
The site also hosts archaeological excavation campaigns every summer.
