Welcome to the Abbey of Saint Amant de Boixe!
Download the “Builders in North Charente” application or scan the QR code and play with Guillaume!
The old abbey was founded by the hermit Lover in the 988th century in the forest of La Boixe. However, the first historical mention of this establishment dates back to XNUMX. It was not until the generous donations of Guillaume IV Taillefer, Count of Angoulême, that the current abbey developed: the monastic buildings date from this period.
As for the church, it was rebuilt in the first quarter of the XNUMXth century, starting with the apse, the transept and the last bay of the nave. The finest example of this phase is undoubtedly the facade of the north arm of the transept, made by the same workshop of sculptors as that of Angoulême Cathedral. In a set of blind arcades one would find there the various degrees of the clericature (the minor orders: sub-deacons, acolytes, psalmists, exorcists, readers... and the major orders: deacons, priests, and bishops).
Some time later, the nave was finished rebuilding to replace the one from the 15th century. The work ends with an elegant facade. Traces of polychromy in the lower left arcade indicate that it was painted, highlighting the sculpted decorations, most often geometric. The new completed abbey church was dedicated on November 1170, 54 by the Archbishop of Bordeaux, a large number of bishops and abbots, as well as the Count of Angoulême and the main lords of the region. It is an imposing building (more than 22m in height, XNUMXm high for the dome) which housed the fifty Benedictine monks and the parishioners (each in their respective part of the church).
The convent buildings house the Space of Romanesque architecture: many playful and interactive modules invite the visitor to discover this unique architecture and the men who contributed to its development. Get closer to the Espace d'architecture romane for opening hours.
Family game: “Anne Mésia”
The inhabitants of the site are in the grip of a spell. To free themselves, they must remember the people they were. Anne Mésia, the famous magician specializing in amnesia, is here to help you in this matter!
Your mission, to ward off fate, using your smartphone, you will explore the site in search of the characters, historical facts and places that marked his life. You will need to use intuition and observation in order to solve the puzzles that will arise in your path!
To play, simply download the free application "Anne Mésia's investigations"
Visit
- Average duration of the individual visit: 60 min
- Average duration of the group visit: 60 min
- Groups welcome up to 65 people.
Customers
- School groups welcome
- Special rate for job seekers
- Groups welcome
- Special rate for students
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
- Guided individual tours on request
Group visits services
- Unguided group tours permanently
- Guided group tours on request
Opening
Open Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 14 p.m.
From 01 / 06 to 30 / 09
Open every day from 10 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.
From 01 / 10 to 30 / 11
Open Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 14 p.m.
Prices
| Price | |
|
Full price From January 23, 2024 to December 21, 2024 |
maximum € 5 |
|
Reduced price From January 23, 2024 to December 21, 2024 |
maximum € 3,50 |
Payment
- Cheque
- Cash
- Bank / credit card
- Local currency
- Classic Holiday Vouchers
- Contactless payment
Services
Services
- Pet Friendly
- Educational visits
- Room rentals
- Shop
- Wifi Internet access
- Tourist Documentation
- Tourist information
- Free visits
- Guided tours
- Accessible by stroller
Accessibility
Adapted tourism
- Accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs
- Furniture/Reception desk suitable for wheelchair users
- Ramp
- Magnetic buckle available at reception