Monasticon Gallicanum
Bibliothèque nationale de France
The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Sulpice de Bourges was of ancient origin. It was established by the Archbishop of Bourges, Sulpice (624–647), on the Île de la Nef. Originally, the monastery was dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Nef. After his death, Sulpice was buried there, where he came to be venerated as a saint, and the abbey was subsequently placed under his patronage.
Maurist-period portal
From its beginnings, the abbey enjoyed the favour of the Frankish kings, beginning with Clotaire II (584–629) at the time of its foundation, and later of other monarchs, who granted it lands and privileges. It also received the support of members of the local nobility, such as Geoffroy III le Noble, Viscount of Bourges. In 855, Charles the Bald placed the monastery under his protection and confirmed its possessions. The monastery was also affected by the Norman invasions and was destroyed in 868. It later suffered during the Hundred Years' War (1410) and subsequently during the Wars of Religion. In 1497 it became part of the Congregation of Chezal-Benoît.
In 1562 the abbey was burned by the Huguenots; its archives were lost, and the monks took refuge outside the monastery until they were able to return in 1612, after it had been rebuilt. In 1636 it joined the Congregation of Saint-Maur, as did the other monasteries of Chezal-Benoît. From then onwards, several improvements were made to the monastic buildings. The abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution and lost its monastic structures. In the mid-nineteenth century, a charitable institution run by the Little Sisters of the Poor was established there; this work continues today at Le Clos des Bénédictins. Today, almost all that survives of the monastic complex is the Maurist gateway.
Illustration from Golden Legend (15th century)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Detail of Bourges (17th century)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
According to Armorial général de France (18th century)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Initial of Bible de Saint-Sulpice de Bourges (1175-1200)
Bourges, Bibliothèque municipale. 0003
Portail Biblissima
- BAUDRILLART, Alfred (1938). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 10. París: Letouzey et Ané
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1912). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 5. Bourges. Abbaye de Ligugé
- BUHOT DE KERSERS, Alphonse (1883). Histoire et statistique monumentale du département du Cher, vol. 2. Bourges: Tripault
- BUHOT DE KERSERS, Louis (1913). Essai de reconstitution du Cartulaire A de Saint-Sulpice de Bourges. Mémoires de la Société des antiquaires du Centre, vol. 35
- DU TEMS, Hugues (1775). Le clergé de France, vol. III. París: Brunet
- LUBERNE, Alexis (2005). Bourges (Cher). Enclos des Bénédictins (Abbaye Saint-Sulpice). Archéologie médiévale
- PEIGNÉ-DELACOURT, Achille (1877). Monasticon Gallicanum. Paris: G. Chamerot
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1720). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 2. París: Typographia Regia
- THAUMAS DE LA THAUMASSIÈRE, Gaspard (1865). Histoire de Berry. Vol. II. Bourges: Jollet
The monastery of Saint-Sulpice is situated west of the historic centre of Bourges, near the river