Illustration from Histoire de l'abbaye de la Cour-Dieu (1864)
The Cistercian monastery of La Cour-Dieu, dedicated to Notre-Dame, was founded in 1118 from Cîteaux Abbey (Côte-d'Or) through the initiative of Jean II, Bishop of Orléans. The first community, which came from Burgundy, was placed under the leadership of Abbot Amalric. In 1123, King Louis the Fat (1081–1137) confirmed the foundation together with the property and rights granted to it.
Abbey portal
Five monasteries were founded from La Cour-Dieu: Loroy (Cher), Le Val (Val-d'Oise), Olivet (Loir-et-Cher), Iranzu (Navarre) and Sacra Cella or Cercanceaux (Seine-et-Marne). In 1147, Pope Eugene III placed the abbey under the protection of the Holy See, a decision confirmed by Alexander III in 1159. In 1171, Sevin, abbot of the Premonstratensian monastery of Gué-de-l’Orme (Loiret), founded only a short time earlier and involved in disputes with Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (Loiret), moved to La Cour-Dieu with his community. Sevin briefly served as abbot of this monastery before leaving in 1173 to establish a hermitage.
From the fifteenth century onwards, the monastery entered a period of decline as a consequence of the Hundred Years' War, which severely affected both the abbey and its estates. The introduction of the commendatory system further worsened the situation; in 1538, Guillaume IV de Vallery became the first commendatory abbot. In 1562, La Cour-Dieu was attacked by Protestant forces, hastening its decline. By 1770, the community had been reduced to just three monks. Nevertheless, the abbey survived until 1790, when it was suppressed during the French Revolution. The property was sold at auction and soon fell into ruin. Even so, remains of several monastic buildings are still preserved. The church, begun in 1169, was consecrated in 1216. It is now privately owned.
Illustration from Histoire de l'abbaye de la Cour-Dieu (1864)
Cour-Dieu affiliation
According to Originum Cisterciensium (L. Janauschek, 1877)La Cour-Dieu Abbey (Loiret) / 1119
Loroy Abbey (Cher) / 1129
Le Val Abbey (Val-d’Oise) / 1136
Olivet Abbey (Loir i Cher) / 1145
Iranzu Monastery (Navarre) / 1178
Abbey of Sacra Cella, or Cercanceaux (Seine-et-Marne) / 1181
Seal of an abbot
Illustration from Histoire de l'abbaye de la Cour-Dieu (1864)
Old postcard, private collection
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The remains of the monastery are located in the commune of Ingrannes, northeast of Orléans