The 17th century monastery
A monastery of the Celestine Order, it was founded by Cardinal Pierre Bertrand de Colombier (1299–1361), who also served as bishop of Nevers, Arras, and Ostia. In 1358 he vowed to found a monastery if he recovered from a serious illness, a promise he fulfilled in the same year by placing at the Celestines’ disposal the castle and residence he had built at Colombier. The cardinal died in 1361 and was buried here two years later.
Remains of the 14th century monastery
Photo by François Bassaget, on Wikimedia
The monastery suffered extensive damage during the Wars of Religion (16th century) and was rebuilt during the 17th century. It was suppressed in 1778 and sold after the Revolution. The 17th-century building is preserved, along with some remains of the earlier structures.
Remains of the 14th century monastery
Photo by Bonnard (undated)
Ministère de la Culture (France)
Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, diffusion RMN-GP
Pierre Bertrand de Colombier, the founder
Detail of Carte générale des Cardinaux françois (s. XVII)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1936). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 1. Mâcon: Protat
- MAZON, Albin (1890). Essai historique sur le Vivarais pendant la guerre de cent ans. Tournon: Parnin
- NICOD, E. (1897). Le Cardinal Bertrand. Revue historique, archéologique, littéraire et pittoresque du Vivarais. París: Dumont
- POLLUCHE, Daniel (1778). Aymar de Roussillon et les célestins de Colombier. Essais historiques sur Orléans. Orléans: C. De Villeneuve
The monastery is located in Colombier-le-Cardinal (Ardèche), south of Vienne