Prieuré de Sainte-Gemme

English translation

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History

The monastery appears to have existed since the mid-11th century. In 1074, it was given to the Benedictines of La Chaise-Dieu. It was rebuilt in the late 11th century, the period to which the church dates, which also underwent works in the 12th century. The convent appears to have been rebuilt in the 12th century, and modifications were made to it during the following centuries. Two wings of buildings, as well as the church, now delimit the area of the cloister which is entirely ruined. Of the east wing, destroyed in the 18th century, four round-arched arcades of the chapter house and remnants of rib vaults remain. The west wing, in ashlar stone, dates back to the Romanesque period. Romanesque or ogee openings still exist on the east elevation. Inside, the walls show remnants of barrel vaults on the ground floor and the base of a barrel vault on the upper floor. The present arrangement dates to the 18th and 19th centuries (stone fireplaces with painted decoration).