Abbey of Toussaint d’Angers

Shortly after its foundation, before 1049, Count Jofré II Martel (1006–1060) granted it to the Benedictine abbey of la Trinité de Vendôme (Loir-et-Cher), which he himself had founded, with episcopal approval and the obligation to maintain its charitable role. The agreement was formalised in 1049, but it was short-lived, either because of the establishment, from Vendôme, of the new priory of Saint-Sauveur de l’Esvière in the same city, or due to the difficulty of reconciling charitable activity with Benedictine customs. Around 1056, the house returned to the cathedral chapter.

Following the Revolution, in 1791 the site passed into public hands. The church, built in the 13th century and later modified, is partially preserved. After the departure of the religious community, it was used for military purposes. At the beginning of the 19th century, the vaults collapsed and the complex was largely abandoned; although it was already regarded as a historic monument at that time, it was not until the late 20th century that it was archaeologically studied. It was subsequently restored and adapted to house the Galerie David d’Angers, inaugurated in 1984.