Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes

Despite its status as a priory, it quickly became an important establishment; in 1073, William the Conqueror confirmed its foundation charter. Moreover, during the 12th century, a relic of the Holy Thorn arrived there, still preserved today, probably brought back from the East by Robert IV de Sablé († 1193), who had accompanied Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) on the Third Crusade. All this turned Solesmes into a monastic house with a large community and intense activity, comparable to the more important monasteries and surpassing the priories of the period, which often fulfilled mainly administrative functions over the surrounding territory and maintained only a minimal community.

In 1664, the priory of Solesmes joined the Congregation of Saint-Maur, as La Couture had done shortly before. The Maurists found the site virtually without a community, so their arrival may almost be regarded as a new foundation. The Maurist reform was profound, both in terms of the stricter customs imposed on the community and in the reconstruction of the monastic buildings, characteristic of that congregation; these works continued well into the 18th century. Monastic life at Solesmes came to an end, albeit temporarily, with the Revolution, when the monks were expelled from the priory in 1791.

Beyond the interruptions in its activity, the abbey experienced remarkable expansion, both within the monastery of Solesmes itself — particularly through its dedication to the study of Gregorian chant — and through its leadership of the congregation, which also spread beyond France, notably to Santo Domingo de Silos (Burgos), through Saint-Martin de Ligugé (Vienne). It also has a female branch, developed from the monastery of Sainte-Cécile de Solesmes (Sarthe), founded in 1866.