Abbey of Saint-Pierre-les-Nonnains de Lyon

Traditionally, the restoration of the monastery has been attributed to Anemond (or Ennemond, † 657), bishop of Lyon, who has therefore been regarded as its founder. This tradition, however, is a later construction. The foundation most probably took place during the first half of the 8th century. After a destruction caused by a Saracen incursion, the monastery was restored again at the beginning of the 9th century by Bishop Leidrad (798–814), and it was possibly at this time that it adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Over time, however, a general relaxation of discipline set in, and the way of life gradually departed from the Benedictine ideal. At the beginning of the 16th century, the abbey was required to undergo a reform of observance, despite the opposition of the community, which saw its privileges threatened. In 1562, in the context of the Wars of Religion, the monastery was occupied, leading to the flight of the nuns and a significant loss of property. In 1637, the abbey was placed under the direct authority of the archbishopric of Lyon.

The nuns had two churches on this site: one dedicated to Saint Peter, serving the monastic community, and a second one, Saint-Saturnin (or Saint-Sorlin), which functioned as a parish church and from which the nuns received the revenues. This second church was demolished during the Revolution. Today, the Baroque monastery built in the 17th century survives, incorporating some elements of the former church of Saint Peter. This building, originally Romanesque, underwent several alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries, remained in use for worship until 1907, and was then deconsecrated and incorporated into the group of public buildings that now house the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.