Prieuré Saint-Benoît

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The priory, established in 974-975 at Sault, on a rocky spur dominating the Portefeuille valley, was dependent on the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. Located at the borders of Berry and Limousin, it constituted a sort of advanced stronghold of the possessions of the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire in Aquitaine, and, for this reason, was of great importance. The construction of the present church took place around 1020-1030. The monastic establishment was designated from its origins until the Revolution by the term of provostry. The provost, titular representative of the monastery, subordinate to the abbot of Fleury, also governed the ecclesiastical lordship having high justice rights over the market town. Alongside, the claustral prior regulated the spiritual life and work of the monks. This particular situation, which was maintained until the end of the 17th century, is reflected in the topography of the monastic buildings situated to the south of the church: on one hand, the regular quarters grouped around the cloister, rebuilt by the Maurists, between 1735 and 1742, and on the other, the various buildings of the provostry, whose heterogeneous aspect undoubtedly dates back to the end of the Middle Ages. The eastern wing, with very sober architecture, is representative of the architecture of Maurist priories in the early 18th century. Regular quarters and provost's house have scarcely changed since the middle of the 18th century. They illustrate the major stages of the architectural history of the Benedictines of the Congregation of Saint-Maur.