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VENDÉE |
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Abbaye des Fontenelles (near La Roche-sur-Yon) |
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| Ref: 46°39'54"N,01°29'06"W | ||
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| This is a difficult place to find. We
discovered a sign post to Abbaye des Fontenelles
on a
roundabout on the D760 to the west of La Roche-sur-Yon; this
sign post directed us to continue westward on the same road. We
then found another sign post directing us to turn to the right
on a minor road which took us over the D160 (the road
which replaced the D760 in recent times and which leads to the
northen ring road of Roche-sur-Yon). There were a couple more
sign posts to the abbey along this road and then nothing. The
abbey entrance has no sign to say what it is but just a sign
saying pedestrains only. We parked in a fairly large unmade
lay-by with a faded parking sign opposite the abbey entrance . The abbey is partly in ruin but the church looks like it has been reroofed in recent times and undergone some restoration, although there is no glass in the windows. The other buildings are in a ruinous state with scaffolding still in place and warning signs about falling masonry. Much is overgrown. Unfortunately the church is locked. There is a mid 13th century effigy of Béatrice de Machecoul, wife of the founder of the abbey in the south transept but we were not able to visit it. The impression is that restoration began some years ago and visitors were encouraged but this was abandoned. You can still visit the exterior. I will add a drawing of the monument shortly. |
| Abbaye Notre-Dame de Grainetière |
| This was a ruined abbey which has been
partially restored and is now a working abbey of Benedictine
monks. You may visit during the daytime (9.00 am - 7.00 pm) and
entry is free. There is a large car park (no charge) attached to
the abbey. Near Les Herbiers. Take the D23 from there approximately south towards St-Paul-en-Pareds; the abbey is then signposted on the right. St-Paul-en-Parends is futher south on the left so if you reach it you've gone too far! The abbey is well signposted all the way Ref: 46°39'54"N,01°29'06"W |
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Limestone effigy of a Lord of Parthenay, 14th century. Not
in situ: now on display in the cloisters. Note the straight
legs and the unusual position of the hands. His head appears
to be resting on his helmet. Note the small figure on the
figures right hand side and the monks carved around the base
slab.
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Mortagne-sur-Sèvre
Church of St Peter |
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Church open. You may park outside in the
street. Tuesdays - market day - probably best avoided.
Ref: 46°59'33" N, 0°57'16"W
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Left and above top:
Guy
de Chemillé (`3th C) These badly damaged monuments are of tuffeau and in St Leger's chapel in the church. There is a little evidence of the original polychrome. |
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| Medieval tombstones with incised symbols. There are a number of incised slabs in the floor of the church | ||
| Sallertaine Church of St Martin |
| Church open. Park in the free car park next to the modern church.The 12th century St Martin's is then just across the road. Ref: 46°51'33"N,1°57'41"W |
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12th or 13th century effigy of a possibly child. Low relief
and very rustic carving. The feet rest on what appers to be
a cushion. The head and neck are remarkably out of
proportion
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| Notes on Monuments in the Vendée | ||||||||
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I understand there are a number of effigies
which were formerly in abbeys and churches in the Vendée but are
now in the Musée de Piloti in Niort, which is in the Deux-Sèvres
department of Poitou-Charente (now renamed). I have not yet
checked this. These are:
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