Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire

An emblematic place in the Loire Valley, a symbol of millenary spiritual and intellectual influence, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire developed in the shadow of its abbey, founded in the 7th century around the relics of Saint Benoît, founder of the Benedictine rule. The only remaining building of the medieval abbey is the abbey church, a Romanesque marvel with its 11th century porch tower decorated with admirable capitals. Next to this sacred site, Saint-Benoît also conceals a host of small treasures that are revealed along the way, such as the chapel of Sainte-Scholastique, rebuilt in 1873 on the site of an 11th century oratory dedicated to the sister of Saint Benoît. The memory of the great poet Max Jacob is deeply linked to Saint Benedict where he stayed several times between 1921 and 1944.

An emblematic place in the Loire Valley, a symbol of millenary spiritual and intellectual influence, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire developed in the shadow of its abbey, founded in the 7th century around the relics of Saint Benoît, founder of the Benedictine rule. The only remaining building of the medieval abbey is the abbey church, a Romanesque marvel with its 11th century porch tower decorated with admirable capitals. Next to this sacred site, Saint-Benoît also conceals a host of small treasures that are revealed along the way, such as the chapel of Sainte-Scholastique, rebuilt in 1873 on the site of an 11th century oratory dedicated to the sister of Saint Benoît. The memory of the great poet Max Jacob is deeply linked to Saint Benedict where he stayed several times between 1921 and 1944.