Jumièges Abbey, in Normandy, is known as one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries. Today, the ruins of two churches, Notre-Dame and the Church of St. Peter, are especially worth seeing. The church of Notre-Dame is a characteristic example of the Romanesque style of Normandy. However, the Church of St. Peter has Carolingian decorative elements.
The abbey was founded in 654 by St. Philibert with the generous support of Queen Bathilde of Ascania, who donated parts of her royal lands for its construction. But soon after life in the monastery came to an end, because the great Viking invasions of France begin e.g. Rouen is burned down in 841. It was not until the 11th century that the former splendor of the abbey would be restored. Favoured by monastic reforms and liberties granted by the Dukes of Normandy, the abbey achieves economic prosperity and the monks can commission many new buildings. Among other things, Notre Dame the largest Romanesque abbey church in the duchy was built.
When the English occupied Normandy from 1415 during the Hundred Years’ War, the clergy had to seek shelter in Rouen. At times things were chaotic in the abbey. The abbey did not receive either religious or physical regeneration until the 17th century, when it was taken over by the Maurine Congregation, renowned for its historical work and scholarship. But even this period of prosperity is short-lived, because during the French Revolution (1789 to 1799) the abbey is sold as church property and used as a quarry.
This destruction came to an end in the 19th century with the rediscovery of the ruins by the Romantics. From then on, the restoration and preservation of the Abbey of Jumièges was undertaken and it once again regained its true status, that of a Benedictine monastery. It has become one of the greatest historical monuments in the region.
After visiting the ruins, I recommend walking around the 14-hectare garden. There you can discover a large terrace, the former bakery, the Tabor, a hill artificially created by the monks (a homage to Mount Tabor in Palestine), as well as the former abbot’s residence, which shows photography exhibitions. There are several restaurants and cafes outside the grounds which offer regional specialities such as crêpes au camembert.
For more information about the Abbaye de Jumièges, including opening times and prices visit the website.
The Benedictine monastery of Jumièges can also be viewed as a 3D reconstruction via a free app.
Current exhibition: AU FIL DU NIL – Juliette Agnel sur les traces de Flaubert et de Du Camp until 30.11.2021.
This blog post has been written by Saskia from ArCuFo.
