Samson fighting the lion
According to tradition, a monastery dedicated to Saint Peter was founded here in the 6th century, thanks to the intervention of Theodechilda (†563), daughter of King Theuderic I of the Franks (†533), although another tradition claims she was the daughter of Clovis I (466–511). Theodechilda is also said to have founded the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-le-Vif in Sens (Yonne), with which this house was associated.
Photo by J. Davi / POP
Tradition places the consecration of the first church in the year 538. Later, in 824, a new church was consecrated, replacing the earlier one, and by then forming part of a Benedictine monastery. The existence of the monastery is documented in 920, and during the 11th century its main conventual buildings were erected. At the beginning of the 12th century, it entered into decline and soon became a priory dependent on Saint-Pierre-le-Vif.
Nevertheless, by the late 13th century it enjoyed a period of prosperity, which was cut short by the Hundred Years’ War. Between 1357 and 1387, Mauriac suffered severe destruction, including the cloister. Further devastation came in 1574, when the Huguenots occupied the priory. In 1628, the site was incorporated into the Congregation of Saint-Maur and, shortly after, in 1633, its first commendatory prior was appointed.
Photo by J. Davi / POP
Parish dependent on the monastery
The monastery survived until the French Revolution: in 1791 the last monks abandoned it, and in 1793 the site was sold. The church disappeared as its stones were reused in other buildings, including the town hall, while most of the monastic structures were lost. Later excavations uncovered some medieval remains. Elsewhere in the town a tympanum from the refectory is preserved, depicting Samson fighting the lion. A square separates the former site of the monastery from the parish church of Notre-Dame-des-Miracles, which had once been under its care.
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1912). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 5: Bourges. Abbaye de Ligugé
- CHABAU, J.-B. (1903). Abrégé de l'histoire du Royal Monastère et Doyenné de Saint-Pierre-de-Mauriac. L'Auvergne historique, littéraire & artistique. Riom
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1939). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 2. Mâcon: Protat
- MISSONNIER, Jeanne (1987). Le monastère Saint-Pierre de Mauriac (Cantal). Revue de la Haute-Augergne
The few remains of the monastery are located in Place G. Pompidou in Mauriac, facing the church of Notre-Dame-des-Miracles