Abbey of Notre-Dame de Clairmont

The monastery became the burial place of the lords of Laval, who were interred there over many years. In 1204, the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel was founded from here, located to the northeast in the same department of Mayenne. In 1509, Tronson, the last regular abbot, died, and the monks requested that the office be assumed by the Bishop of Rennes, a decision that was not accepted by the order and led to disputes. In 1513, the first commendatory abbot was appointed: Cardinal Soderini, Bishop of Tivoli.

The church is partially preserved and follows a typically Cistercian plan. Originally a three-aisled building, it has lost much of its side aisles. It features a transept opening onto seven rectangular chapels forming the “chevet”. The central chapel is the same width as the nave, while three further chapels open off each arm of the transept. The structure is simple, with wooden roofs and no sculptural decoration. To the south of the church stood the cloister and, to its west, the buildings of the lay brothers, also dating from the earliest period (12th century). To the east, extending from the transept, stands the 17th-century building.