Maroilles Abbey

Model of the abbey of Maroilles.

The abbey of Maroilles (Abbaye de Maroilles), in the department of Nord, France, was founded around 650 AD by Count Chonebert (or Radobert). Its first abbot was St. Humbert of Maroilles. Humbert was succeeded by St. Curcodomus.

From the 9th century to the time of the French Revolution in the 18th century, the abbey followed the Rule of St. Benedict.

Maroilles cheese is often reported to have first been made in 962 by a monk in the Abbey of Maroilles.^[1]

The abbey was repaired and restored in 1025 by Gerard of Florennes (Gérard de Cambrai) after the Norman invasions. The abbey of Maroilles suffered damage in the 14th and 15th centuries in wars involving the County of Hainaut. Reconstruction projects took place during the 16th and 18th centuries. The abbey reached its peak in terms of power and wealth during the 18th century.

During the French Revolution, on July 28, 1789, the wealth and power of the abbey caused it to become a target of anger, and the abbey was sacked by the villagers of Taisnières-en-Thiérache. Between 1791 and 1794, the abbey was used as a quarry, and the abbey church, the cloister, and some of the walls disappeared. Today only parts of the portal and guesthouse remain, as well as the windmill and tithe barn (grange dimière).

Plan of the abbey

The tithe barn has been restored and converted into a tourism and information center, providing information on the natural and cultural patrimony of the local region.

References

1. ^ Masui, Kazuko; Tomoko Yamada (1996). French Cheeses. Dorling Kindersley. pp. 84. ISBN 0-7513-0896-X. 

External links

• (French) L'abbaye sur le site de Patrimoine de France
• (French) Histoire de l'abbaye (site de la commune de Maroilles)

Coordinates: 50°8′0″N 3°45′31″E / 50.133333°N 3.75861°E / 50.133333; 3.75861