Ancienne abbaye de Pébrac

English translation

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History

One of the three principal abbeys of Haute-Loire (with Lavoûte-Chilhac and La Chaise-Dieu). Foundation of the monastery in the 11th century. From the late 11th century, there remain caves pierced with loopholes. The Romanesque abbey suffered the vicissitudes of the Hundred Years' War as well as a relaxation of the monastic rule. It was at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century that it was revived: the Romanesque church was demolished and Gothic vaults were rebuilt, the chapel of Sainte-Anne, the abbatial dwelling and the south-west tower. Creation of the library at the end of the 15th century. At the beginning of the 16th century, construction of three chapels, one of which is now at the far end of the cemetery, and of the ogival cloister. Some destruction during the Wars of Religion. Part of the buildings (including the great chimney of the kitchen) was repaired in the 17th century. After the integration of the abbey into the congregation of the regular canons of Sainte-Geneviève (in 1649), the abbey was completely remodelled by the Genovefans: east wing rebuilt according to Louis XIII classical architecture, cloister demolished, west wing rebuilt (interior decoration of Louis XV panelling), remodelling of the abbatial dwelling (classical openings) and the church (classical door, apse with flat background, opening of a large bay to the south). At the Revolution, the abbey was sold as national property. In 1830, the buildings were entrusted to the congregation of Saint-Joseph, but the abbey deteriorated more and more. The south wing is currently occupied by the commune (town hall) and includes a barrel-vaulted cellar.