Activity Book
Visits to sites of interest
The Abbey of Nieul sur l'Autize
Nestled in the heart of a ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ the abbey of Saint Vincent at Nieul sur l’Autize is a jewel of 11th century Romanesque art. Cloisters with stubby arches, gemelled columns decorated with centaurs and birds, gothic bays, a real cultural visit for young and old.
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The abbey of Saint Vincent at Nieul sur l’Autize was founded in 1068, and has benefited from the protection of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine.
Eleanor, who was born in Nieul in 1122, granted it the status of Royal Abbey when she was Queen of France. Despite the destruction associated with the Wars of Religion, the abbey is one of the few monasteries in Lower Roman Poitou with cloisters, galleries and most of the monastic buildings still intact.
Besides the visit of the Abbey, there are interactive terminals which you can use to find out about how the abbey functioned, the origins and history of the monastic movements, the history of the Abbey of Nieul and its regional influence.
Visit the chapter house and see the entertaining use of new technologies such as holograms, an interactive 3D visit of the abbey, an optical theatre, etc.
URL : http://www.abbayes.vendee.fr
Address : ABBAYE DE NIEUL SUR L’AUTISE 1 allée du cloître 85240 NIEUL SUR L’AUTISE
Phone : +33 (0)2 51 50 43 00