Yves-Marie Le Gouaz (1776)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Faise / La Faise / Faya / Faisia
(Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Gironde)
The Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame de Faise was founded in 1137 thanks to the intervention of the Viscounts of Castillon, a family that continued to support it throughout the 12th century. The initiative materialized through the Abbey of Cadouin (Dordogne), which likely did not send the first community until 1147. Due to its geographical location, the monastery was exposed to several military incursions and, by the early 14th century, was in a state of ruin.
The church in ruins. Illustration by Jules Philippe a
Comptes-rendus de la Commission des monuments historiques (1854)
Bibliothèques de Bordeaux
Later, various episodes of the Hundred Years’ War, the adoption of the commendatory system, and the Wars of Religion once again left the site in ruins. In the second half of the 17th century, the abbey experienced a degree of recovery, but the French Revolution brought about its suppression and the loss of its buildings. During the last quarter of the 20th century, archaeological work uncovered the remains of the church. Additionally, some 18th-century structures have been preserved.
Affiliation of Notre-Dame de Faise
According to Originum Cisterciensium (L. Janauschek, 1877)
Old postcard, private collection
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- DOSQUET, M. (1854). Ruines de l'abbaye de Faize, prés Lussac. Compte-rendu des travaux de la Commission des monuments historiques du département de la Gironde. París: Didron
- GARDELLES, Jacques (1983). L'abbaye cistercienne de Faise (Gironde). Bulletin Monumental, vol. 141
- JANAUSCHEK, Leopoldus (1877). Originum Cisterciensium. Vol. 1. Viena
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1720). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 2. París: Typographia Regia
Abbaye de Fontguilhem / Fons Gailla / Fons Guillelmi
(Masseilles, Gironde)
The Benedictine abbey of Fontguilhem was founded in 1124 by Pierre de Castel, in a ceremony presided over by Bertrand, Bishop of Bazas. With the intention of maintaining a stricter monastic rule, the community placed itself under the direction of Abbot Bernard from the Cistercian monastery of Gondon. Upon his death in 1135, the first abbot from within the community was elected.
Affiliation of Notre-Dame de Fontguilhem
According to Originum Cisterciensium (L. Janauschek, 1877)Abbey of Cadouin (Dordogne) / 1119
Abbey of Gondon (Lot-et-Garonne) / 1123
Abbey of Fontguilhem / 1147
In 1147, the monastery became fully Cistercian, definitively gaining independence from Gondon. In 1190, Richard the Lionheart, King of England (1157-1199), placed the abbey under his protection, and his successors continued to support it. During the 17th century, it entered a period of decline, with a greatly diminished community that lasted until the Revolution, when the monastery was suppressed. Most of the abbey was demolished, and today only a few remains survive, mainly from 18th-century buildings.
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- BEAUNIER, Dom (1910). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 3: Auch, Bordeaux. Abbaye de Ligugé
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1936). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 1. Mâcon: Protat
- GOBRY, Ivan (2000). Cavalieri e pellegrini. Ordini monastici e canonici regolari nel XII secolo. Roma: Città Nuova
- JANAUSCHEK, Leopoldus (1877). Originum Cisterciensium. Vol. 1. Viena
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1715). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 1. París: Coignard