Facade of the chapter house
In the mid-6th century, a basilica was built in the city of Angers, serving as the burial place of Saint Albinus (c. 470–550), bishop of this diocese. His tomb was transferred from the church of Saint-Pierre and, as a result, the church took on the dedication of Saint-Aubin. It is recorded that King Childebert I (c. 496–558) and Saint Germain of Paris (496–576) took part in its construction. By the 7th century, the site was already occupied by a monastic community, perhaps a canonical one, documented in 769.
Due to issues related to observance, in 966 Count Geoffrey I of Anjou (c. 938–987) and the bishop of Angers reformed its organization, replacing the community of canons with Benedictine monks. The first monastic complex was destroyed in 1032, but had already been rebuilt by 1070; at that time, the new tomb of the patron saint was installed. In that period, it was a notable and powerful centre: the community exceeded one hundred monks and exerted strong influence over the ecclesiastical structures of the city, even the cathedral. It had also founded several priories, such as that of Château-Gontier (Mayenne).
The church was rebuilt again during the first half of the 12th century; the surviving tower is slightly later, dating from the third quarter of that century. At the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th, the commendatory regime was introduced, weakening its development, which was also affected by the wars of the time. In 1660, the monastery passed to the Congregation of Saint-Maur, which undertook its restoration, including the construction of new buildings. Monastic life continued until the Revolution, in 1790, when it was suppressed.
Medieval tower
Courtyard of the current Prefecture of Angers
This new situation led to the near destruction of the church at the beginning of the 20th century. The surviving buildings became public property and now house the Préfecture of Maine-et-Loire. Among the remaining monastic structures, in addition to the more modern buildings, particular note should be made of the former tower —which stood apart from the church— and the doorway of the chapter house, preserved because it had been walled up.
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Facade of the chapter house
Seal of Saint-Aubin
Illustration from Cartulaire de l’abbaye de Saint-Aubin d’Angers
Monasticon Gallicanum
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Saint-Aubin Tower
Angers pittoresque (1843)
Detail of Nouveau plan de la Ville d'Angers (1736)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Médiathèque Toussaint, Angers
Miracle of Saint Albinus
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Death of Saint Albinus
Bibliothèque nationale de France
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- BESSE, Jean-Martial (1920). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France, vol. 8, Tours. París : Picard
- BROUSSILON, Bertrand de (1903). Cartulaire de l’abbaye de Saint-Aubin d’Angers. 3 vols. París: Picard
- CAILLET, Jean-Pierre (2015). Essor monumental et exaltation hagiographique à Saint-Aubin d’Angers, du XIe au XIIe siècle. Art et réforme grégorienne. París: Picard
- HERBÉCOURT, Pierre (1959). Anjou roman. La nuit des temps. Zodiaque
- MAZELIN, François (1871). Saint Aubin, évêque d'Angers, sa vie, son pélerinage. Bar-le-Duc: Guérin
- PEIGNÉ-DELACOURT, Achille (1877). Monasticon Gallicanum. Paris: G. Chamerot
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1856). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 14. París: Typographia Regia
- TARDIF-DESVAUX (1843). Angers pittoresque. Angers: Cosnier et Lachèse
The remains of the Abbey of Saint-Aubin d’Angers are located in the historic centre of the city