The Cistercian abbey of Léoncel
The church of Sainte-Marie de Léoncel is all that is left of the Cistercian abbey that was founded in this valley of northern Drôme (southeastern France) in 1137. The church was quickly built, as it was consecrated in 1188. However, some remodeling and alterations took place until around 1230. Most of the church is pure Romanesque, but as you will see, the roofing of the nave features a budding form of rib vaulting which announces the age of the Gothic.
The abbey was ravaged during the Hundred Years War; only the church was left standing. The cloister and other abbey buildings were never rebuilt. Monastic life endured (albeit down to a substantially degraded degree) until the French Revolution, when the church became parochial —hence the opening of a door in the western façade, and the walling up of some lateral doors. Since 1974, a community of Dominican sisters has taken over what is left of the abbey and thus monastic life has begun anew.
This is the “Head of Christ” part of the church, the apse where the sisters sit during Mass. Three windows (of which you can only see two), as usual with Cistercians, as they symbolize the Holy Trinity.
You can also forge your own opinion about the quality of the masonry and stereotomy, in this part of the church which was treated with most care: it is very good, as good or better than most churches, but somewhat lacking by Cistercian standards. The intent is obviously there, but the skill lacked.
The Cistercian abbey of Léoncel
The church of Sainte-Marie de Léoncel is all that is left of the Cistercian abbey that was founded in this valley of northern Drôme (southeastern France) in 1137. The church was quickly built, as it was consecrated in 1188. However, some remodeling and alterations took place until around 1230. Most of the church is pure Romanesque, but as you will see, the roofing of the nave features a budding form of rib vaulting which announces the age of the Gothic.
The abbey was ravaged during the Hundred Years War; only the church was left standing. The cloister and other abbey buildings were never rebuilt. Monastic life endured (albeit down to a substantially degraded degree) until the French Revolution, when the church became parochial —hence the opening of a door in the western façade, and the walling up of some lateral doors. Since 1974, a community of Dominican sisters has taken over what is left of the abbey and thus monastic life has begun anew.
This is the “Head of Christ” part of the church, the apse where the sisters sit during Mass. Three windows (of which you can only see two), as usual with Cistercians, as they symbolize the Holy Trinity.
You can also forge your own opinion about the quality of the masonry and stereotomy, in this part of the church which was treated with most care: it is very good, as good or better than most churches, but somewhat lacking by Cistercian standards. The intent is obviously there, but the skill lacked.