Nieul-sur-l'Autise - Abbaye Royale Saint-Vincent

The abbey was founded in 1068 by Ayraud Gadessenier, the Lord of Vouvant. Augustine Regulars lived here, responsible for cleansing the Poitevin swamps around.

Aénor de Châtellerault (1103 - 1130) is buried here. She was the mother of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who became tone of the most powerful women in medieval Europe. The status of the abbey was promoted to an "Abbaye Royale" in 1141 by King Louis VII, then husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Later, by her marriage to Henry II (Plantagenet), Eleanor was to become Queen of England.

The abbey was burnt down by the Huguenots in 1568 and went into decline. It got restored during the 19th century and still has a wonderful cloister.

Unfortunately my "timing" was quite bad that time. I reached at noon time - and was not patient enough to wait for some hours, as the cloister was locked for the lunchbreak. I´ll be back here later.

The portal of the former abbey churches has many parallels to the churches erected within the 12th century in the neighbouring Charente Poitou (eg St. Hilaire, Melle).