Charlieu Abbey

Abbaye de Charlieu, also known as Charlieu Abbey of St. Fortunatus' Abbey, was a St. Bernard order abbey situated in Charlieu, Burgundy, France.

The abbey was built in 872 as a tribute to Saints Fortunatus and Stephen, and its sponsors were Radbertus, the bishop of Valence, and his brother Edward. It was built in the area known as "Carcus Locus," or "sweet place." It was under the express supervision of the Holy See.

Gausmar, the original monk, and the others built it themselves, as evidenced by the remains discovered there.

Similar to this, the excavation provides evidence for the presence of three churches: one from the ninth century, another from the tenth century, and a church from the eleventh century, all of which are attributed to the Brionnais region.

Speaking of the architecture, the building had a wooden roof, pencil towers around the corners, and a semi-subterranean ambulatory at the eastern end.

The Philippe Auguste tower, the protective dungeon, and medieval homes are all part of the ensemble's distinctive architecture.

The Gothic cloister and the chapel from the 15th century with the chapter house that displays a colonnade are impossible to forget.