The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Pontaut was one of the many foundations promoted by Gerald of Salles (c. 1050–1120). It was established around 1115 as an offshoot of the Abbey of Dalon (Dordogne). Initially, it was a Benedictine house, but, like many of Gerald’s foundations, it gravitated toward the Cistercian Order. Finally, in 1151, it became part of that order with the arrival of monks from the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Jouy (Seine-et-Marne), which belonged to the Pontigny filiation (Yonne).
The abbey experienced rapid development during the 12th and 13th centuries, benefiting from numerous donations. Its possessions were confirmed in 1289 by Edward I of England (1239-1307). The 14th century continued this period of prosperity, allowing the abbey to increase its assets. However, by the mid-15th century, it came under the commendatory system. During the second half of the 16th century, it became a victim of the Wars of Religion, and in 1569 it was sacked, with some monks losing their lives. By 1572, efforts were underway to restore the abbey, and records from that time indicate a community of seven members.
The existence of commendatory abbots hampered economic recovery and religious observance, negatively impacting the monastic buildings, which suffered from a lack of maintenance. This situation persisted throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. By the time of the French Revolution in 1791, the situation had not improved. That year, with no community remaining, the site passed into private hands and was converted into a farm. The various buildings gradually deteriorated, and today only a few remnants of the monastery survive. Among these, the façade of the church stands out, restored in the 17th century and featuring a pointed portal. Until 1932, the chapter house was still preserved, but it was sold that year and moved to the United States, where it is now installed at The Cloisters (New York).
Filiation of Pontaut
According to Originum Cisterciensium (L. Janauschek, 1877)Abbey of Pontaut (Landes) / 1151
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
The Cloisters
Chapter house, before its transfer
Old postcard. Private collection.
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1910). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 3: Auch, Bordeaux. Abbaye de Ligugé
- BERTHIER, Marcel (1987). Géraud de Salles, ses fondations monastiques. Leur évolution vers l’ordre cistercien à la fin du XII siècle. Bulletin de la Société Historique et Archéologique du Périgord. Tome CXIV
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1939). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 2. Mâcon: Protat
- JANAUSCHEK, Leopoldus (1877). Originum Cisterciensium. Vol. 1. Viena
- LE GRAND, Michel (1936). L'Abbaye de Pontaut, notice historique et archéologique. Bulletin de la Société de Borda, vol. 60
- MANRIQUE, Angel (1642). Cisterciensium Annalium, Vol. 2. Lió: L. Anisson
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1715). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 1. París: Coignard
Today, there are virtually no remains of the monastery in situ, as it has been transformed into an agricultural site. The place of Pontaut belongs to the municipality of Mant (Landes)