Beaulieu-en-Rouergue Abbey

About

The Notre-Dame Abbey of Beaulieu-en-Rouergue (or Belloc) is a former Cistercian abbey founded in 1144 and now a centre of contemporary art. It is located in the commune of Ginals in the north-east of the department of Tarn-et-Garonne on the border of the departments of Tarn and Aveyron. The abbey of Beaulieu-en-Rouergue, like about a hundred other monuments, owned by the State, is managed, animated and open to the visit by the National Monuments Centre.

XIIth century: foundation of the abbey "45th daughter of Clairvaux": Located in the valley of the Seye, in the former province of Rouergue, the abbey was founded at the request of the bishop of Rodez, Adhémar III, and Archambaud de Cuzoul, in 1141 or 1144, on August 20, by Cistercian monks coming from Clairvaux after the visit of St Bernard. It is the 45th abbey-daughter of Clairvaux. Archambaud was Donzel de Cuzoul, son of Yzarn, Viscount de Saint-Antonin (he himself son of Raymond III, Count of Rouergue), and Egine de Cahors. He had in apanage the seigneuries of Cuzoul, Saint-Igne and Prévenquières. He owned a house in Saint Antonin where he received saint...